It isn't lost on Spencer Rattler that he's in a fortuitous situation, even if things aren't perfect around him as he stares down a Week 17 showdown with the Raiders.
Fifth-round rookies don't often get the chance to start this many times in a season. Even in four losses, the lessons learned can and should be invaluable.
"Can’t waste this opportunity," Rattler said this week after Derek Carr was officially ruled out for a third straight game. "Got to play great and take my game to a whole 'nother level this offseason. I feel like I haven’t even shown what I got fully yet."
But just how unusual is it for a 5th round quarterback to start five or more games? Per WWL's research, it's only happened three times since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970. On Sunday, Rattler will become the third such player to start five games in their rookie season. Here's how that list breaks down.
2011
- T.J. Yates, Texans: 10 career starts (4-6) … 5 as rookie (2-3)
2010
- Craig Krenzel, Bears: 5 career starts (3-2) … 5 as a rookie, (3-2)
1975
- Steve Grogan, Patriots: 135 career starts (75-60) … 7 as rookie (1-6)
In all there have been 65 quarterbacks taken in the 5th round during that span. Of that group 17 have started games in their rookie seasons with a record of 16-31, the most recent four of which have been pinned to Rattler.
When we open up the search to include 5th round quarterbacks starting games at any point in their careers, there are only 7 players with at least 10 starts and a record within three games of .500. Here's the list, including one name Saints fans might appreciate:
2010
- John Skelton, Cardinals: 17 career starts (8-9) … 4 as rookie (2-2)
2001
- A.J. Feely, Eagles: 18 career starts (8-10) … 0 as rookie
1993
- Mark Brunell, Packers: 151 career starts (78-73) … 0 as rookie
1977
- Cliff Stoudt, Steelers: 20 career starts (9-11) … 1 as rookie (0-1)
1975
- Steve Grogan, Patriots: 135 career starts (75-60) … 7 as rookie (1-6)
1973
- Don Strock, Dolphins: 22 career starts (16-6) … 0 as rookie
1970
- Steve Ramsey, Saints: 31 career starts (14-17) … 0 as rookie
There are obviously examples of late-round quarterbacks having success. Dak Prescott was a 4th rounder by the Cowboys in 2016 and Brock Purdy was famously the final pick overall by the 49ers in 2022. The larger point is history is not on Rattler's side as he attempts to do what many before him have struggled to do and paint a successful career as a late-round quarterback.
One key things those other examples did early on in their careers: Win games. Purdy was 5-0 as a rookie after taking over midseason. Prescott's team went 13-3 in his rookie season. Those teams were certainly built a lot more for success than the 2024 Saints, but it's a much easier vision to sell when there are wins to point back to.
There hasn't been a more winnable game on the schedule than when the 3-win Raiders walk into the building this week, and that's one of the most basic things Klint Kubiak wants to see this week.
“I’d like to see him win." Kubiak said. "I’d like to see him take the team to go win, whatever it takes, whether it’s a 6-3 game like we saw on Thursday night or it’s a 50-48 banger, so I just want to go see him win.”
Another?
“I would like him to learn that the ball is on fire," Kubiak said. "When the pass rush is out we’ve got to get it out of our hands, we can’t take sacks in 2 minute. We’ve got to make quick decisions and you’ve got to go above and beyond the Xs and Os to get the job done for the team.”
Kubiak's comment alludes to the need to get the ball out quickly and the most eye-popping number in Spencer Rattler's four starts: 17 sacks. At that pace, Rattler would register 72.5 sacks taken and push the all-time record of 76 held by, ironically, David Carr. It's a number that looks even more gaudy when you consider that Derek Carr was only sacked 8 times in 10 starts, many behind the same patchwork OL that Rattler has been working with.
To this point Rattler's overall stat line is overshadowed by negative plays. Including an impressive second half against Washington, Rattler has completed 56% of his passes (84-150) for 859 yards and 2 touchdowns, but he's also thrown two interceptions and lost three fumbles. All of those turnovers have come in his starts, two in the shutout loss to the Packers in instances where the Saints were in range to at least attempt a field goal.
"I think it’s just having great focus every play, avoiding a couple disaster plays," Rattler said. "I felt like I did a good job of that in prior games, but you know, you’re in a road environment like that, you’ve just got to dial yourself in every play. ... At the end of the day the ball is in my hands, you know, it’s up to me to protect it, so I’m definitely disappointed with that last game, but I want to be better this game, to win, because if you don’t, you’ll lose.”
For better or worse, the Saints are sticking with the kid. Here's to hoping.
