Spencer Rattler began the 2025 season as the Saints starting quarterback, and the former fifth-round pick could be the subject of trade talks during the 2025 NFL Draft. While he clearly fell behind Louisville’s Tyler Shough on the depth chart, the South Carolina product has done enough to establish himself as a bridge quarterback with reasonable upside. Rattler filled in for an injured Derek Carr as a rookie, making six starts while completing 57.0% of his passes for 1,317 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions. He was considerably better under head coach Kellen Moore, completing 67.7% of his passes for 1,586 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions before losing the starting job to Shough.
Nobody thinks that Spencer Rattler is a superstar, but he’s had moments of greatness in his short career and is entering his age-26 season. With Shough firmly entrenched atop the depth chart and looking like a legitimate franchise quarterback, ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes New Orleans could try and trade Rattler to the highest bidder. Seeing as the 2026 NFL Draft is weak on quarterback talent, don’t be surprised if one of the following three teams makes a move for Rattler if they miss on their preferred prospect.
Saints Could Trade QB Spencer Rattler; 3 Teams Could Show Interest
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals might not have the worst quarterback room in the league, but they certainly have the least inspiring one. Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew are both backup-level passers who can keep the ship afloat if forced to start, but shouldn’t be anyone’s Plan A. The team won’t have the opportunity to draft Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, and they’ll likely need to trade into the back of the first round if they want Alabama’s Ty Simpson. While this is a possible outcome, the team could also trade for Spencer Rattler if they’re not sold on Simpson’s future. Rattler should compete to start in this quarterback room, and his youth gives him more upside than Brissett and Minshew.
New York Jets
The New York Jets are in a very similar position to the Arizona Cardinals. Chances are, these two teams will be fighting to trade up for Simpson, and the loser could end up with Spencer Rattler. Geno Smith is a fine starter, but he offers no long-term upside and is coming off a disastrous season with the Las Vegas Raiders. Head coach Aaron Glenn must turn this ship around if he wants to keep his job in 2027, so putting all his eggs in Smith’s basket might not be wise. Rattler might not be an MVP-caliber passer, but he should compete with Smith and could still improve as he enters Year 3.
Cleveland Browns
Even though he made the Pro Bowl, fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders was one of the NFL’s worst quarterbacks by every single metric last year. His 44.1 PFF grade was the worst in the league among eligible passers, and his traditional stats (56.6% completion, 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions) do not paint a prettier picture. The Colorado product is currently atop the depth chart, but Cleveland must find a better Plan B in the event he doesn’t make the Year 2 leap – and Deshaun Watson doesn’t count. Spencer Rattler was the better quarterback last year, and the trade target could probably win this quarterback competition.
