After signing veteran Zach Wilson to a contract, the New Orleans Saints could be preparing to trade Spencer Rattler during the offseason. The Saints have brought in an experienced quarterback to help the current starter, Tyler Shough, for the 2026 regular season. Shough is coming off an intriguing 2025 campaign after winning the job, and with Wilson stepping in, it only means that Rattler is slowly being pushed out. While Wilson is the third-string for the time being, the 26-year-old has been trying to find a home where he could start, and he might finally have a chance to battle it out with Shough. However, the Saints are committed to Shough as their starter after reports have assumed that they’re making him the main leader.
Saints Zach Wilson Signing Likely Leads to Spencer Rattler Trade; 3 Suitors Emerge
If the Saints want to trade Rattler, having someone like Wilson makes sense, as to why they made the move. Originally selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the former South Carolina product is still tied to a rookie deal, which likely makes him an attractive option for teams. While there are still plenty of veteran options, such as Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson, Rattler provides a reset button for a team that is rebuilding.
This means that if the Saints want to trade him, they could do it during this year’s draft. He obviously showed improvement in year 2 despite losing the job, so the sooner the better for the Saints to deal him to a new team. The Saints have the luxury to dangle Rattler on the trade block and see what they could get in return to build an arsenal for Shough and the regime being built in New Orleans.
Possible Destinations
Arizona Cardinals
Between Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew, there is room for more competition to be brought in for Arizona. The Cardinals are beginning their rebuild led by promising head coach Mike LaFleur, but the two options they have are too old. No one should expect Minshew or Brissett to be the long-term option for the Cardinals if it came down to these two. Rattler is the better pick in this scenario, and him playing for his hometown team could be a lucrative option for both sides.
The Saints could do Rattler a favor and trade him to his hometown team, and see if he can embrace the rebuild under LaFleur in his first season in Arizona.
Indianapolis Colts
Meanwhile, the Colts are still actively trying to trade former first-round pick Anthony Richardson. Indianapolis is committed to Daniel Jones as its permanent starter after a promising 2025 regular season. Still, the Colts need backup help, but one who could learn behind Jones. Rattler might not get the starting job in his first year in Indianapolis, but he could make an impression and learn from the team, and turn into a hot trade candidate once his rookie contract is over.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders cut Geno Smith and fired former head coach Pete Carroll after one season. Las Vegas is hitting the reset button once again, but this time led by Super Bowl champion and former Seahawks offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak. While the Raiders are set on Fernando Mendoza, the team will need a backup if Mendoza can’t start immediately. This might be Rattler’s time to shine in the preseason and possibly win the starting job if he impresses.