Saints coach Kellen Moore will have to decide soon whether rookie Tyler Shough or second-year pro Spencer Rattler should be New Orleans’ starting quarterback in Week 1 of the regular season.
As the preseason wrapped up with a 28-19 loss to Denver on Saturday, the choice was anything but clear.
“I have to make a decision and it’s a challenging one because these guys have put everything into this,” Moore said. “They’ve been very, very close.”
Shough scored the Saints’ only touchdown against Denver on an 11-yard read-option run around the left end. He was 12 of 20 for 102 yards and led two scoring drives, the first ending with one of three field goals that Blake Grupe hit from beyond 47 yards for the Saints (0-2-1).
Shough “used his feet pretty well,” Moore said.
However, Shough’s performance was marred by a lost fumble on a sack by Que Robinson in Saints territory. The turnover led to a Denver TD on Audric Estime’s 5-yard run.
Rattler started and completed 5 of 8 passes for 43 yards, leading two drives that culminated with Blake Grupe field goals and one which stalled on failed QB keeper on fourth-and-1.
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Rattler “did some really good stuff,” Moore said. “He went through some progressions really well, found some guys.”
Rattler thought the Saints were “moving the ball pretty well,” while he was under center, but “weren’t great on third down (0 for 3).
“Could have been better, obviously,” he said. “But it was solid.”
Shough said the competition with Rattler is “obviously close,” adding that he’ll be disappointed if he’s not the starter, but will “stay prepared, stay ready,” regardless.
“Operating-wise, throwing the football, I think it’s been extremely clean,” Shough said of his play this preseason. “I feel fully capable to go out there and lead the charge.”
While several quarterbacks could become available as NFL teams make final cuts by Tuesday afternoon, Moore sounded intent on sticking with the QBs he has.
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As has been the case throughout this process, Moore was vague as to the timeline of when a QB might be made. But did note that a decision would be coming at some point during the open week. He's next scheduled to address the media on Monday.
“We’ve invested and poured a lot into these guys,” he said. “They’re young guys. They’re going to keep growing.”
The Saints have officially finished their preseason slate and once they've cut down to 53 will turn their attention to a Week 1 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals back in the Superdome.
WWL Radio staff writer Jeff Nowak contributed to this report