New Orleans Saints rookie head coach Kellen Moore is making waves with a decisive midseason announcement: a full re-evaluation of offensive starters, including the starting quarterback. This crucial move comes as the Saints, currently tied for the NFL’s worst record at 1-7, desperately search for a turning point, signaling potential shifts from Spencer Rattler to Tyler Shough and beyond.
The New Orleans Saints are at a crossroads. Following a dismal 1-7 start to the 2025 season, rookie head coach Kellen Moore has openly declared his intention to spend the early part of this week meticulously re-evaluating who will command the most snaps on offense. This isn’t just a minor adjustment; it’s a comprehensive look at multiple positions, with the spotlight intensely focused on the most critical role: quarterback.
With little left to lose at the bottom of the league standings, the Saints are poised for significant midseason changes across their offensive lineup. Moore’s objective is clear: identify the players who will be central to this week’s offensive game plan by Wednesday’s practice, ensuring those individuals receive the bulk of first-team repetitions. “All we’re trying to do is put ourself in the best position to be successful,” Moore stated, emphasizing a focus on success over weekly positional battles.
Spencer Rattler’s Tumultuous Start and Tyler Shough’s Emergence
The primary catalyst for this re-evaluation appears to be the inconsistent performance of starting quarterback Spencer Rattler. While Rattler has occasionally showcased promise and largely avoided sacks and turnovers earlier in the season, the Saints’ offense has been anything but explosive or high-scoring.
Through Sunday’s NFL games, the Saints ranked 27th in total offense (averaging 295 yards per game), 22nd in passing (201.4 yards), and a disheartening 29th in scoring (just 16 points per game). The situation escalated dramatically over the past two games, where Rattler committed a troubling six turnovers—four interceptions and two lost fumbles.
This decline in performance culminated in the third quarter of Sunday’s 23-3 loss to Tampa Bay in the Superdome. Coach Moore made the executive decision to substitute Rattler, bringing in rookie Tyler Shough, a second-round draft choice, to finish the game. Moore clarified that the quarterback switch was more about finding “a spark” for that specific game. “Spencer’s had some turnover bugs the last few weeks, but he’s played plenty of good football,” Moore explained, acknowledging Rattler’s previous contributions.
It’s worth noting that Spencer Rattler has yet to play the equivalent of a full NFL season. As a rookie last year, he started six games in place of the then-injured and now-retired starter Derek Carr. New Orleans lost all six of those contests, bringing Rattler’s career record as an NFL starter to a concerning 1-13. Tyler Shough, meanwhile, is still awaiting his first career start. Both quarterbacks are young, and Moore expressed confidence in their long-term development. “These guys are going to keep developing and doing it the right way,” he said, adding that he also needs to improve his play-calling to put them in better situations.
Offensive Woes Beyond the Quarterback Position
While the quarterback position garners the most attention, the Saints’ offensive struggles extend far beyond who is under center. The running game, a traditional staple for offensive balance, has been particularly anemic lately. New Orleans managed a mere 48 rushing yards against Tampa Bay, following a paltry 44 yards at Chicago the week prior.
Against the Buccaneers, the Saints attempted just nine running plays, excluding quarterback scrambles. Coach Moore acknowledged the issue, stating, “Would have loved to run the ball a little bit more. Just the lack of flow in that game just made it challenging.” This struggle is further highlighted by a grim statistic: the Saints have gone three consecutive games without a single running play gaining as many as 10 yards.
The consistent inability to establish a ground game puts immense pressure on the passing attack, making offensive drives predictable and easier for opposing defenses to contain. This imbalance is a key area Kellen Moore will undoubtedly address in his re-evaluation, as seen in official NFL team statistics which highlight the Saints’ offensive deficiencies, as detailed on NFL.com.
A Resilient Defense Offering a Glimmer of Hope
Amidst the offensive turmoil, the Saints’ defense has quietly demonstrated moments of exceptional play, offering a critical silver lining. On Sunday against Tampa Bay, the defense was particularly stout in third-down and goal-line situations.
New Orleans found itself backed up to its own 1-yard line on a staggering nine snaps. Remarkably, Tampa Bay only managed to reach the end zone on the very last of these attempts. Before that, the Saints’ defense stuffed six runs and stopped two passes. Even when a defensive penalty occurred on a run stuff, the defensive stop forced Tampa Bay to accept the penalty for no yards and replay first down, highlighting the unit’s resilience.
The Buccaneers subsequently ran the ball on their next four plays, but the Saints stopped them each time, denying them points on their first of two goal-to-go situations. Furthermore, New Orleans held the Bucs to just three conversions on 13 third-down plays, showcasing a bend-don’t-break mentality. Defensive end Chase Young has been a notable contributor, recording 1 1/2 sacks against Tampa Bay, along with a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a pass breakup, and two quarterback hurries, demonstrating his impact since returning from a calf injury in Week 7.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Decisions for Moore
The immediate future for the Saints presents no easy path. They are set to visit the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday, followed by a trip to face the Carolina Panthers the following week. These upcoming games will be crucial proving grounds for whatever offensive changes Kellen Moore implements.
Despite his careful wording regarding the decision to bench Rattler, Moore refrained from naming a starter for the upcoming game against the Rams, underscoring the depth of his re-evaluation. On the injury front, the Saints did not have any active players miss Sunday’s game due to injury, nor did they announce new injuries during the contest, though receiver Rashid Shaheed was observed limping off the field in the final minutes.
Fan Perspectives: Hope, Frustration, and the Quest for a Winning Identity
For the loyal Saints fan community, Kellen Moore’s announcement is met with a mix of frustration and cautious optimism. The struggles of Spencer Rattler have been a focal point of discussion, with many fans eager to see what Tyler Shough can bring to the table. The “spark” Moore mentioned is precisely what supporters are craving.
There’s an underlying hope that a change at quarterback, or adjustments at other offensive positions, could unlock the team’s dormant potential. The consistent defensive effort, particularly in critical situations, has earned praise and is seen as the foundation upon which a turnaround could be built. However, the anemic running game remains a significant concern, with fans debating offensive line issues versus play-calling strategies. The urgency for the team to find a winning identity is palpable, as chronicled by reports from Associated Press.
As the Saints navigate this pivotal juncture of their season, all eyes will be on Kellen Moore’s decisions and the on-field performance of the re-evaluated offense. The fan base, ever passionate, awaits a renewed commitment to success and a clear path forward from their rookie coach.
