Spencer Rattler isn't making his NFL debut when he takes the field against the Arizona Cardinals this weekend, but don't let the definition of that word fool you.
In his seventh career start, it'll be the first time he took the field as the chosen starter of a coaching staff, not just an injury replacement. It'll also be the first time he did so with a full array of weapons and a (mostly) healthy offensive line. He's even wearing a new number, 2, which feels emblematic of the situation at hand. This is a rare second chance at a first impression.
“Fresh start, new opportunity," Rattler said this week, "and looking forward to attacking with these guys.”
Rattler only appeared in two games with Chris Olave a year ago before the WR's season ended due to concussions, with one of those games ending on the first drive due to injury. He only appeared in two games with Rashid Shaheed, with one of those games ended early due to injury.
Those players are back and ready to make an impact, and how the new QB uses those weapons could be a key in how long he stays the QB.
“It’s great, I mean, having a full stable of guys is great, up front, out wide, really on both sides of the ball," Rattler said. "I think it gives you confidence in what we can do and obviously we have the talent, we’ve got to the guys and now we’ve just got to go out there and do it.”
Regardless, no one is giving the Saints much of a chance in Week 1 or most of their games in the 2025 season, largely because of the QB situation that saw Rattler beat out rookie Tyler Shough in an offseason competition. The Saints are 6.5-point home underdogs on Sunday, and they're only favored on the betting line in one game all season. New Orleans is one of three teams that didn't land a single primetime game.
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Star power is often the key to optimistic projections and primetime appointments. The most visible position is the quarterback, and the Saints don't have a perceived star in that role. That can be visualized in one simple way: Of all the teams that have announced captains for the season, the Saints are the only one that doesn't have a QB in that role.
Saints head coach Kellen Moore said he doesn't read too much into it. The team voted and went with experience, including a pair of first-year players in Justin Reid and Brandin Cooks. The first-year head coach doesn't see it as an indictment on his QB.
“Spence has done an awesome job," Moore said. "I don’t think you have to have a C to lead."
Saints fans will hope he's correct, because there's no way around it: The QB has to be a leader. He has to lead in the huddle. He has to lead on the field. He has to lead in the locker room, even if there's no C embroidered on his jersey.
So how might that happen? A heavy emphasis will have to be -- and has been -- placed on playing within himself, stacking positive plays and avoiding negative situations. Rattler was sacked a whopping 22 times in his 6.5 games last year. Compare that to Bo Nix, who started 17 games as a rookie as was sacked only 26 times.
If Rattler plays more like Bo Nix this time around, you'll see him using his legs to create positive results on first down. Avoid sacks. Avoid turnovers. Avoid third and long. Stay ahead of the chains.
"Getting positive plays on first and second down, running the ball, throwing the ball, whatever we’ve got to do," Rattler said, "that’s what we have to do to give ourself a chance.”
Rattler's first chance to show his second chance will look different comes at noon Sunday. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.