Spencer Rattler will start the first game of his NFL career on Sunday when the New Orleans Saints host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Saints head coach Dennis Allen named Rattler the new starter on Wednesday. The Saint’s first option, Derek Carr, was injured in the Saints’ loss to Kansas City on Monday. Per NFL.com, Carr is expected to miss multiple weeks with what is being called an oblique injury.
Former Fresno State passer Jake Haener was the one who replaced Carr during the Saints’ MNF loss to the Chiefs, but Rattler will be the one to start in Week 6.
“We talked a lot as a staff about what we felt like was the best thing for us and give us the best chance for us to win the game. That was the decision that we made,” Allen said. “We’re excited about him getting an opportunity to go in there. We’ll let him go play and see what he can do.”
The Saints are 2-3 to open the season. After consecutive wins over Carolina and Dallas, New Orleans has lost 3 straight. Haener completed 2 of his 7 pass attempts for 17 yards in the Kansas City game.
Rattler has not attempted a pass through New Orleans’ first 5 games. Haener opened the season as QB2 on New Orleans’ depth chart.
“We just felt like this would be the right time for Spencer to get his opportunity,” Allen said.
Allen was reluctant to provide too many specifics about what went into the decision to elevate Rattler to QB1. Instead, he reiterated multiple times that the staff feels he provides the Saints their best chance to beat the Bucs.
“He creates some plays on the scout team,” Allen said. “I just think this is a guy who has a lot of ability. He’s a rookie, so we know we’re going to have some challenges that go along with that, but I think we’ll have a good plan for him.”
After 3 seasons to begin his college career at Oklahoma, Rattler transferred to South Carolina prior to the 2022 season. He threw a career-high 12 interceptions that first year, but really turned his play around in Year 2 with the Gamecocks. As a senior, Rattler threw for 3,186 yards and 19 touchdowns against 8 interceptions. He averaged 8 yards per pass and completed 68.9% of his throws.
New Orleans spent a fifth-round pick on him during last summer’s NFL Draft, selecting him 150th overall.
Rattler and the Saints take on the Bucs (3-2) at noon on Sunday. The game will be broadcast on FOX. Tampa Bay is a 3.5-point favorite at bet365.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.