Irvine, Calif. - Spencer Rattler will start at quarterback for the New Orleans Saints in Sunday's preseason opener at the Los Angeles Chargers. Saints Coach Kellen Moore made the announcement following Friday's practice at Cal-Irvine.
Moore said Rattler, a second-year player out of South Carolina who started six games and played in seven for the Saints in 2024, will start before giving way to Tyler Shough, the team's second-round draft pick this year. Third-year pro Jake Haener also will see action Sunday.
The battle to be the team's starting quarterback following the retirement of Derek Carr this spring has been the dominant storyline of training camp. Following Sunday's game the Saints will have home preseason games against the Jacksonville Jaguars (Aug. 17) and Denver Broncos (Aug. 23).
Moore said a number of established veteran players won't play Sunday. He added that the quarterbacks knew about the rotation before Friday's practice.