It's time: The New Orleans Saints are turning to rookie quarterback Tyler Shough as their starter for Week 9 and beyond.
A source confirmed to WWL Radio that the team will be turning to the rookie second-round pick to make his first career start in Week 9 against the L.A. Rams. The players were informed of the decision on Tuesday.
Spencer Rattler had started the first eight games for the Saints after winning an extended quarterback battle during training camp. He started the season highly efficient with just one interception through his first six games, but the tide turned over his past two starts with six turnovers (four interceptions and two fumbles lost) in six quarters against the Bears and Bucs the past two weeks.
The Saints stuck with Rattler through the first drive of the second half, but ultimately turned to the rookie for the second drive of the third quarter. Head coach Kellen Moore said the team was trying to find a "spark" with the change, but held off on declaring the rookie the starter in both his postgame comments and Monday press conference.
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“It wasn’t the ideal situation to hop into," Kellen Moore told WWL Radio. "We were trying to create some momentum there and get us going on offense and yea, I think it had something to do with our whole entire offense, just not clicking as well as we had hoped and so Tyler went in there, he battled. I thought he did some good things. The circumstances were challenging, you know, but I think for both those guys we’re just continuing to try and grow and develop in the quarterback room.”
Shough ended up in a dropback passing game with virtually no rushing threat and finished the day 17-30 for 128 yards and an interception, though the turnover hit star WR Chris Olave in the hands and fell into the arms of Bucs defender Antoine Winfield.
The decision marks something of a turning point for the Saints, with Shough representing their highest draft investment at quarterback since selecting Archie Manning No. 2 overall in 1971. Shough is an older rookie at 25 years old and had an extended run as a college passer with stops at Oregon, and Texas Tech before thriving in Louisville's pro-style offense led by QB guru Jeff Brohm. At 6-5, 220 pounds Shough has an ideal QB build and could bring some new elements to a Saints offense that has scuffled to just 16 points per game through the first 8 weeks and has been held under 20 in six of eight games.
“My mindset is I’m going to attack no matter what and I’m going to do everything I can to score points and find completions," Shough said after Sunday's game.
The scenario certainly won't be an easy one for the rookie QB, who will have to make his NFL starting debut on the road against a Rams team that is 5-2 and currently tied atop the NFC West standings.
The decision marks the second consecutive season the Saints will have turned to a rookie quarterback for an extended stretch as the starter. Rattler started six games a year ago, with the Saints going 0-6 in those games.