The New Orleans Saints were able to pull off a second-half comeback to end Sunday’s matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars in a tie. The Saints rotated starting quarterbacks, giving rookie Tyler Shough the start, with Spencer Rattler coming in to start the second half. There were plenty of ups and downs in the tie, but these Saints stood out.
Up: Spencer Rattler
Aug 17, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (2) scores a two point conversion to tie the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth quarter at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Aug 17, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (2) scores a two point conversion to tie the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth quarter at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Spencer Rattler had a strong showing on Sunday, ending the day completing 18/24 of his pass attempts for 199 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Rattler was decisive and comfortable in the pocket. The second-year quarterback also made plays on his feet, rushing for 19 yards on three attempts and calling his number on the game-tying two-point conversion.
The Saints quarterback competition is becoming impossible to call. Many believed Tyler Shough took the lead for the QB1 job against the Los Angeles Chargers after having a strong performance, but Rattler would respond with what could be considered the best performance of a Saints’ quarterback through two weeks. Rattler has reportedly had the strongest training camp, and the team was waiting to see it translate to in-game action.
The second-year signal caller has shown both the poise to run the offense and the ability to respond. Rattler threw an interception in the red zone while trying to hit wide receiver Mason Tipton on a slant, but Tipton would stop short of the route, and the ball would go the other way. Similar to how head coach Kellen Moore allowed Shough to respond to his interception against the Chargers, Moore gave Rattler the chance to make up for his mistake rather than sending Jake Haener on the field for the final drive. The 2024 fifth-round pick came in and led the offense 82 yards and threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Dante Pettis to tie the game.
Shough and Rattler both have nearly identical stats through two weeks of preseason. With Rattler’s strong performance against Jacksonville, he is very much in contention to win the starting job.
Up: Mason Tipton
The Saints’ wide receiver room had quickly become one of the biggest question marks for the team heading into the 2025 season. Outside of the signing of veteran Brandin Cooks, New Orleans hasn’t made much progress to add to their receiver room despite having a need.
Second-year wide receiver Mason Tipton has been a buzzing name throughout training camp. At 5-foot-11, Tipton continues the trend for Saints receivers under 6-foot with blazing speed. The second-year wideout had a solid showing in the team’s week 1 preseason matchup, catching a 54-yard touchdown bomb from quarterback Tyler Shough. Tipton only continued his strong showing on Sunday, finishing with 6 receptions for 100 yards, including a big 45-yard reception in one-on-one coverage.
Tipton has quickly become a lock to make the final 53-man roster and will hopefully have a role in the Saints offense going forwards.
Up: Jonas Sanker
Aug 17, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Hunter Long (84) makes a reception against New Orleans Saints safety Jonas Sanker (33) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Aug 17, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Hunter Long (84) makes a reception against New Orleans Saints safety Jonas Sanker (33) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Rookie safety Jonas Sanker made the game sealing interception against the Jaguars, but Sanker made plenty of plays before his tip drills interception. The third-round draft selection ended the day with 5 solo tackles, 1 pass deflection, and 1 interception.
Sanker is a swiss army knife on defense. The 6-foot defensive back could play overtop as a safety as well as in the box with the linebackers. Sanker’s strong and effective tackling will earn him early playing time on special teams, but if he continues his strong performance through preseason, he could earn time with the defense during the regular season.
Down: Cesar Ruiz
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 08: Cesar Ruiz #51 of the New Orleans Saints looks on during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome on September 8, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 08: Cesar Ruiz #51 of the New Orleans Saints looks on during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome on September 8, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
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Starting right guard Cesar Ruiz has had a rought two weeks. The young Saints’ quarterbacks have been under constant pressure when playing with the first team, and the sixth-year guard hasn’t been an anchor on the offensive line.
While Ruiz has been playing in the interior with depth players at left guard and center, the veteran has failed to hold his own on multiple occasions in one-on-one situations. The lack of protection for quarterbacks has been a glaring issue throughout the QB1 battle, and the signal caller who has come in and played with the second and third team has played better over the last two weeks with a lot of credit to the difference in protection.
Ruiz will likely look a lot better when Erik McCoy returns, but the Saints expect more from their right guard making $11 million a year.
Down: Jake Haener
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 29: Jake Haener #3 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at the Caesars Superdome on December 29, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 29: Jake Haener #3 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at the Caesars Superdome on December 29, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images)
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Yes, Jake Haener didn’t take a snap for the Saints on Sunday, so he wasn’t exactly a down in the matchup. But it’s the lack of snaps for Haener that makes him a candidate for this list. The third-year quarterback has been included in the quarterback competition since Kellen Moore announced it earlier in the offseason. While many already believed it was a battle between Shough and Rattler, Moore saw Haener as a true candidate in the competition.
Despite being in contention for QB1, Haener only saw action against the Chargers with five minutes remaining and wasn’t called upon on Sunday’s tie. It has become clear the third-year quarterback is out of the race for the starting job and we only wait for confirmation when the next unnofficial depth chart releases.