Saints face a tough call: Trade promising Spencer Rattler for valuable draft picks or keep him as crucial insurance for their unproven young quarterback?
The New Orleans Saints find themselves in an enviable, yet complicated, position as the 2026 offseason begins. After a late-season surge saw rookie Tyler Shough solidify himself as the "quarterback of the future," the spotlight has shifted to the man he replaced: Spencer Rattler.
Rattler, who started eight games in 2025 following Derek Carr’s retirement, showed flashes of the playmaker he was touted to be. However, with the Saints sitting on the No. 8 overall pick and Shough firmly entrenched in Kellen Moore’s offense, the question isn’t just about who starts, but rather, it's about should the Saints should cash in on Rattler’s trade value.
The Case for the Trade: Maximizing the Asset
In the NFL, the most valuable currency is draft capital. Currently, Rattler’s value is likely at its peak. Despite a 1-7 record as a starter, he threw for 12 touchdowns and displayed the "arm talent" that scouts drool over.
The "Sam Howell" Precedent: Last year, the Vikings moved Sam Howell for a Day 3 pick swap that essentially netted them a higher fifth-round selection. With two years left on a cheap rookie contract, Rattler is an incredibly attractive "project" for a QB-needy team like the Jets or Vikings.
Roster Reconstruction: The Saints are currently over the 2026 salary cap by roughly $20 million. Trading Rattler doesn’t save massive cap space, but the draft picks acquired could provide the cheap, young depth New Orleans desperately needs at wide receiver and offensive line.
Avoiding a Locker Room Divided: Chris Olave has already gone on record saying Rattler "isn't a backup." Keeping a high-upside player on the bench behind a young starter like Shough can lead to unnecessary external pressure if Shough hits a sophomore slump.
The Case for Staying Put: The Insurance Policy
While trading him is tempting, the Saints have historically valued veteran-caliber depth at the game’s most important position.
The Shough Uncertainty: Tyler Shough looked fantastic in a five-game stretch, but he is still a second-year player with a limited sample size. If the Saints trade Rattler and Shough regresses or suffers an injury, the season is effectively over.
The Carr Factor: With rumors swirling about Derek Carr potentially un-retiring, the Saints hold his rights through 2026. If Carr returns, the Saints could trade him for a late-round pick instead, keeping the younger, cheaper Rattler as the primary backup.
The Cost of Replacement: If you trade Rattler, you have to find a new backup. In a free-agent market where even mediocre backups cost $5M+, keeping Rattler at his current $1.16 million cap hit is a bargain.
My Two Pennies
The Saints shouldn't move Rattler just for the sake of moving him. If a team offers a high fourth-round pick, Mickey Loomis should pull the trigger. However, given his recent projections, the reward doesn't outweigh the risk.
Rattler is more valuable to the Saints as a high-end insurance policy for Tyler Shough than he is as a 6th-round pick. Unless a team becomes desperate during the draft, expect the "Rattler vs. Shough" dynamic to continue into training camp.
Final Opinion: Keep him. In a league where quarterback health is a coin flip, having two young, capable starters on rookie deals is a luxury the Saints can't afford to throw away for a late-round gamble.