New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler prepares to enter the field before a preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Eric Thayer
There have been 27 NFL teams that have named [captains](https://www.nola.com/tncms/asset/editorial/dd8e299f-7a93-4b95-b2fc-91ffdca45f3e/) for the 2025 season.
Of them, the New Orleans Saints are the only club whose starting quarterback was not chosen.
The Saints did not select Spencer Rattler as a captain when players voted on the honors Monday, but the second-year quarterback said he was not disappointed over the vote. The Saints named eight total captains, three on offense, three on defense and two on special teams.
“I’m not looking too deep into that,” Rattler said. “The guys we have on the offensive side we have our very experienced, great vets on our team, very deserving of it. I think we picked the right guys.”
On offense, the Saints selected wide receiver Brandin Cooks, center Erik McCoy and running back Alvin Kamara. On defense, defensive end Cam Jordan, safety Justin Reid and linebacker Demario Davis earned the honors. Long snapper Zach Wood and kicker Blake Grupe rounded out special teams.
Coach Kellen Moore said he “didn’t make much” of players not including their starting quarterback. The Saints held a lengthy quarterback battle this summer, with Rattler beating out rookie Tyler Shough for the starting job.
Moore, who said he believes players have confidence in the quarterbacks, said the votes reflect the team’s veteran leadership and experience of the group.
“Spence has done an awesome job,” Moore said. “I don’t think you need a C to lead.”
Players who are named captain wear a “C” logo on their jerseys for the season.
“You want to earn the respect of your teammates and fight for them because you know they are going to fight for you,” Rattler said. “You don’t have to be a captain to lead. … As a quarterback, you are naturally going to be a leader, so I’m stepping into that role fully and attacking it.”