Before the start of the 2026 season, NFL rumors project the New Orleans Saints are expected to move on from backup QB Spencer Rattler after losing his starting job. Rattler, a former fifth-round pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, is entering the third-year league season this upcoming campaign. Unfortunately, the South Carolina product lost the starting QB position after the team announced their committment to Tyler Shough. While the QB flashed at times, he never truly lived up to his potential in New Orleans. With veteran Zach Wilson behind him, expect the former New York Jet to bring the blueprint to supplement Shough.
The past several years for New Orleans have been a struggle since Drew Brees retired. Between Derek Carr and Jameis Winston, the team has yet to find their long-term leader. The 2024 draft selection tried last season, but it wasn’t until Shough took over and showed the organization something they hadn’t seen before. While many can compare Shough to former Saint Taysom Hill, New Orleans may have enough between him and Wilson.
NFL Rumors: Saints Expected to Dump Former Starter Before Week 1
Trade Value Revealed
It wouldn’t be costly for the Saints to move on from Rattler. While he’s still a mobile QB and can start for any team desperate for a starter, teams should be prepared to give up at least a fourth-round pick. New Orleans isn’t going to hold him too long, so maybe a team could negotiate on a price. Nobody should anticipate to be like a deal for the San Francisco 49ers’ Mac Jones, but he’s still a useful piece as a backup.
The Arizona native might not have shown much yet, but could revitalize his career with these three teams.
Potential Destinations
Arizona Cardinals
Playing for his hometown team would be a dream come true for Rattler. The Arizona Cardinals have one of the worst quarterback rooms in today’s league. After signing Gardner Minshew as a bridge backup via free agency, the team took Carson Beck in the third round of the NFL Draft. With Jacoby Brissett still seeking a new deal, one can anticipate the Cardinals are preparing to trade him before Week 1.
At the very least, if he doesn’t show much in training camp, the team might be open to releasing him instead. If that happens, Beck is inexperienced, and Minshew is too inconsistent. The Saints backup won’t do much in his first season in Arizona, but maybe he can bring this NFL roster to a winning year.
Indianapolis Colts
Meanwhile, you can argue the Indianapolis Colts also have a disastrous QB room. Of course, after re-signing QB Daniel Jones to a new two-year deal, the offense is in good shape. However, backup Anthony Richardson will likely be cut before the start of the season after requesting a trade earlier this offseason. He’s struggled to gain any trade interest, so the Colts probably won’t have any other choice but to allow him to test the market.
Rattler isn’t starting in 2026, but could step in if Jones suffers another gruesome season-ending injury like last year.
Cleveland Browns
It’s funny to think that the Browns had a QB logjam last offseason, but now they’re down to two proven starters. Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders have been battling for starting duties, but the Browns are anticipated to roll with the experienced veteran, to no surprise. Dillon Gabriel has been subject to trade rumors this offseason, but it’s hard to envision he’ll gain much interest.
With Gabriel barely doing anything, the Browns could roll the dice on Rattler to bring in a three-way serious competition in Cleveland, because why not, right?
