The New Orleans Saints have made their decision: Spencer Rattler will be the starting QB for the foreseeable future.
A lot went into the decision both out in front and behind the scenes, but WWL's Mike Detillier sees one clear element that led to the decision to bypass Jake Haener for the rookie.
"You want to have the best chance to win, the best chance to win, and the coaching staff and I think Klint Kubiak kind of saying this, Spencer Rattler maybe gives us the best chance to win," Detillier said. "I tell you, you’ve got to have somebody with mobility, that’s all I can tell you. With that offensive line, your inability to run the football well has really stuck this team in the back the last couple weeks.”
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Rattler flashed that mobility on his first-ever drive in a Saints uniform with a third down run for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals, the start of an impressive preseason that clearly left an impact on the coaching staff. Rattler had also been shining during scout team work, head coach Dennis Allen said.
The decision was a bit of a mystery due to the fact that Jake Haener had served as the gameday backup through the first five weeks, appearing in three games including the final drive of the Week 5 loss to the Chiefs.
Allen made the announcement, unprompted, during his Wednesday press conference. The challenge will certainly not be a small one, with the rookie tasked with ending a three-game skid against an NFC South rival that will certainly try to confuse and harass him all game.
“I think a lot of that certainly has to do with, he’s the most talented, that was never a question," Detillier continued, "but also some mobility and man, you’ve got a makeshift offensive line again that’s given you some issues. So you have that particular part."
The Saints (2-3) host the Bucs (3-2) at noon Sunday at the Caesars Superdome. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.
