New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) throws during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin- Oncea)
Jayne Kamin- Oncea
**INGLEWOOD, Calif. —** It can be tempting — and sometimes dangerous — to read too much into the preseason.
For every rookie like Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart who light up the box score, there are journeymen like Skylar Thompson and Jarrett Stidham who also post their own gaudy stats without nearly the same amount of fanfare. It can be tempting to prop up the young players as a sign of greatness to come, while dismissing the others as exhibition fodder.
But this year’s preseason for the New Orleans Saints matters more than usual. Even if the results aren’t indicative of how the players will perform this coming season, the Saints still have to determine a starting quarterback. These games, coaches have said, will play a significant factor in their evaluation.
And there was plenty to evaluate in Sunday’s 27-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Tyler Shough outperformed Spencer Rattler in New Orleans’ preseason opener, but neither quarterback delivered the kind of statement performance that could put an end to the battle.
Shough was the more accurate of the two, leading the Saints to their two scoring drives and out-throwing Rattler in terms of yards. The second-rounder posted an 86.4 quarterback rating to Rattler’s 75.2. Shough went 15 of 22 for 165 yards, a touchdown and an interception compared to Rattler going 7 of 11 for 53 yards and a fumble.
Each performance, of course, comes with caveats. The Chargers rested their starters, leaving Rattler and Shough to compete against backups. But the playing time was relatively even: Shough led the Saints on six drives to Rattler’s five. Third-stringer Jake Haener (5-of-8 for 41 yards) took over with just under five minutes left.
Neither quarterback got a full deck to work with. Coach Kellen Moore rested center Erik McCoy, running back Alvin Kamara and wide receivers Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave (ankle) on offense. And guard Cesar Ruiz and tackle Taliese Fuaga played just two drives before sitting as a precaution. Rookie tackle Kelvin Banks and guard Trevor Penning sat early in the second quarter.
The piecemeal lineup, however, was nothing new to Rattler. The second-year quarterback spent most of his rookie season having to adjust to a decimated lineup, often playing without many of the same players who were rested Sunday.
So it was perhaps fitting then that in Rattler’s first start of the preseason, the quarterback looked much of the same as he did last year.
Rattler’s arm talent and decisiveness were positives. On his first drive, the 25-year-old stood calmly in the pocket and found running back Kendre Miller on a checkdown for a 9-yard gain. He followed that up with a 21-yard completion to Cedrick Wilson to convert a third down. Rattler also did a nice job of gaining back a good chunk of yards on third-and-19 on a nice ball to Brandin Cooks.
But Rattler’s worst tendencies popped up again Sunday. He couldn’t convert points on favorable field position, including when the Saints started at the LAC 17 after a muffed punt. He took three sacks in 28 snaps, one of which resulted in a fumble that the Chargers recovered.
Rattler’s fumble may not have been all his fault — tackle Dillon Radunz got smoked on the play — but it was another turnover for a player who had five fumbles (three lost) and five interceptions in seven games last year. Rattler’s three sacks also matched his rookie season average when he was brought down 3.1 times per game in 2024.
The Saints tried not to let Rattler’s day end on a down note. After his fumble, Rattler trotted out on the field for his fifth drive of the afternoon. While Rattler led the offense past midfield, the series stalled shortly after with another punt.
Shough, meanwhile, hurt the Saints with his own turnover — even more so.
In the third quarter, the rookie stared down Dante Pettis on a throw that Chargers rookie corner Eric Rogers intercepted and returned for a 43-yard touchdown. The score gave the Chargers a 17-3 lead.
But throughout the Saints’ quarterback battle, Moore has often talked about wanting to see his quarterbacks respond to mistakes — and Shough responded to his pick-6 in a big way. On the next drive, Shough hit Mason Tipton for a 54-yard touchdown on a deep bomb down the field.
The play was a near-perfect sequence of events for the Saints. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire picked up the blitz, Tipton beat the defense on a filthy stop-and-go and the Saints had a quarterback with the arm strength capable of ripping it.
Elsewhere, Shough played with poise in his first (unofficial) NFL outing. He looked comfortable from the jump as he led the Saints with 1:38 left on a 10-play, 52-yard drive that resulted in a Blake Grupe field goal just before halftime. He scanned the field and waded off pressure, despite being sacked twice.
Each quarterback did well enough to leave Moore with more to think about. But the battle isn’t likely to be over anytime soon.