Saints hold off on QB starter decision

The Saints did not name a starting quarterback after a 17-17 preseason tie with the Jaguars.

Saints keep starting quarterback decision uncertain after tie

The Saints did not name a starting quarterback after their 17-17 preseason tie with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Head coach Kellen Moore refused to name a starter, saying we will see if a call will be made this week. Tyler Shough started the game and went 9-of-12 for 66 yards, with two sacks and an intentional grounding penalty. Spencer Rattler played the final two quarters, finishing 18-of-24 for 199 yards, including a late game-tying drive that produced 76 yards and a touchdown.

Rattler had an interception on the previous drive, and Moore called it a big moment for him to show how he could respond to a turnover. Keeping Rattler in also meant Jake Haener did not get a chance to play, which Moore described as the biggest downfall of the night. Moore did not rule Haener out of the competition and said the team will just keep going through this process, declining to disclose plans for playing time in the final preseason game.

Moore’s approach signals a cautious, methodical evaluation rather than a rush to label a starter. By cycling through options in a game that mattered little for a standings chase but a lot for development, the Saints are testing how each quarterback handles real pressure, not just practice reps. The decision will hinge on more than a night’s numbers; it will reflect the coaching staff’s faith in each player’s ability to process speed, protect the ball, and execute the offense under game pressure.

This strategy carries risks. If Haener and the other young quarterbacks keep waiting for meaningful reps, momentum can stall and players may miss chances to prove they can handle a week-to-week role. The Saints may also face criticism if the process stretches too long without a clear signal, especially with a crowd hungry for certainty ahead of the season.

Highlights

Patience now could shape the Saints’ quarterback future more than any single preseason week.