Rattler's efficient throws and deep bombs shine, but turnovers and inconsistency cloud his future as the Saints search for a leader.
The 2025 NFL season for the New Orleans Saints was always going to be a litmus test for Spencer Rattler. After a rookie year where he was "thrown to the wolves," Rattler entered his sophomore campaign having won a spirited training camp battle against Tyler Shough and Jake Haener. But as the dust settles on the 2025 season, evaluating Rattler’s performance requires looking past a difficult 1-7 record in his starts to find the "starting caliber" potential that offensive coordinator Kellen Moore still swears is there.
The Statistical Story: High Efficiency, Low Volume
On paper, Rattler’s 2025 numbers suggest a player who has found a level of comfort in the pocket, even if the scoreboard didn't always reflect it.
2025 Season Stats
- Passing Yards: 1,586
- Completion %: 67.7%
- TD / INT: 8 / 5
- Passer Rating: 86.5
- Rushing Yards: 167 (31 carries)
Rattler’s 67.7% completion rate is arguably his most impressive growth area. It speaks to a quarterback who has moved away from the "hero ball" tendencies of his college days and is making more high-percentage, rhythmic throws. However, with only 8 touchdowns through eight starts, the lack of red-zone finishing power remains a primary concern for the New Orleans faithful.
The Highs: Deep Ball Mastery
If there is one play that defines Rattler’s 2025 season, it was the 87-yard touchdown bomb to Rashid Shaheed in Week 5 against the Giants. It wasn't just the yardage but it was the "deep ball touch" that created a palpable buzz in the Caesars Superdome.
Rattler showed a consistent ability to stress defenses vertically, with notable deep connections to Chris Olave against the Bears (57 yards) and Buccaneers (27 yards). When Rattler is "in total command," as reported during the preseason, he looks like a premier vertical threat who can escape pressure with his legs to extend plays—a "nifty escape" against the Patriots being a prime example of his dual-threat evolution.
The Lows: The Turnover Bug and Inconsistency
Despite the efficiency, the "excuse barrel" is running dry for some. Critics point to his 30th-ranked yards per completion and a high rate of turnover-worthy plays as evidence that he is still more of a "solid backup" than a franchise pillar.
The Saints' 1-7 start under his watch can't be pinned entirely on the quarterback. The team suffered three one-score losses due to the inability to close out games, which led to his eventual replacement by Tyler Shough. His performance against the Bears (three interceptions) served as a stark reminder that when the pressure mounts, the sophomore's decision-making can still falter.
The Verdict: A Bridge or a Building Block?
Saints head coach Kellen Moore remains publicly bullish, commending Rattler’s film and calling him a "starting caliber quarterback." Yet, the decision to bench him after Week 8 suggests the organization is still searching for a "commandant" to lead them out of their current rut.
Rattler is undoubtedly an improved version of the rookie we saw in 2024. He has the arm talent and the athleticism to be a playmaker in this league. However, 2025 proved that "promise and ability" only go so far in the win-loss column.
Final 2025 Performance Grade: C+