TJ Jones argues for trading Spencer Rattler, showcasing his overlooked NFL value and a potential win-win for Saints and quarterback.
This episode of State of the Saints centers on TJ Jones making a detailed, player-focused case for why the New Orleans Saints should seriously explore trading quarterback Spencer Rattler this offseason. While Rattler has been benched in favor of Tyler Shough, TJ pushes back strongly on the idea that Rattler has failed or regressed, instead framing him as a capable, serviceable quarterback who performed reasonably well given his circumstances.
Jones walks through Rattler’s production to ground the argument, noting his solid completion percentage, respectable touchdown-to-interception ratio, and overall efficiency. From there, the episode shifts into the larger question of opportunity. TJ argues that Rattler has shown enough to prove he can win games in the right environment — particularly with a stable run game and strong defense — and cites teams like the Houston Texans as examples of situations where his skill set could be maximized.
A major theme of the episode is fairness. Jones contends that keeping Rattler buried on the depth chart is unfair to both the player and the league, using an analogy of a talented employee being denied advancement for the convenience of management. He emphasizes that quarterbacks need organizational belief and continuity to succeed, and that Rattler deserves a situation where he isn’t constantly looking over his shoulder.
The discussion also examines market dynamics. With the 2026 NFL Draft shaping up as a weaker class for pro-ready quarterbacks, TJ believes Rattler’s value could be higher than many expect. Turning a former fifth-round pick into a third- or fourth-round selection is framed as a clear win for New Orleans from a roster-building perspective.
Jones addresses fan concerns about keeping Rattler as insurance due to Tyler Shough’s injury history, ultimately rejecting the idea of stashing talent out of fear. The episode concludes by reinforcing the belief that a trade would benefit both sides — giving Rattler a real chance to start while helping the Saints add valuable draft capital for their ongoing rebuild.