The Denver Broncos are already full of depth at the quarterback position with Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, and Sam Ehlinger, but there are still certain people out there who believe the team should make a trade for another quarterback. Trace Moustakas, the host of Broncos Breakdown by Chat Sports, believes Denver should trade for New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler. Now it’s time to break down one of the reasons why Moustakas wants this trade to happen and why such a trade can benefit not only Rattler but the Broncos as well.
Rattler has natural talent
Even though Moustakas was initially against the idea of Denver trading for Rattler, he has had a change of heart and is now supportive of it, as he not only sees talent in Rattler as a backup but also thinks he would be a great fit given Nix’s injury history.
“Well, as a backup, there’s actually a lot of talent there. Originally, I thought that Rattler would be a waste of a draft pick; now I could see it benefiting the Broncos,” Moustakas said. “Mostly because we now have an injury blip on the Bo Nix radar, ankle concerns dating all the way back to high school.”
Rattler can still improve in many ways, but is versatile and possesses many good traits as a dual-threat quarterback, and could potentially maximize his capabilities if he does end up being sent to Denver.
“Spencer Rattler has a lot of growing to do, but there is natural talent here,” Moustakas said. “I think people forget that he’s mobile, he can throw on the run, he’s got a good arm. He just hasn’t been in the right situation yet.”
Being in Denver can be a great way for Rattler to continue learning and developing
The Saints have a good offensive-minded coach in Kellen Moore. Still, the opportunity to learn and work alongside some other great offensive coaches, such as Sean Payton and Davis Webb, may be even better for Rattler to continue growing as a quarterback.
If Rattler does end up in Denver, he can learn under Nix and also compete with Stidham to be the team’s backup quarterback. Rattler also possesses traits more similar to Nix than those of the Broncos’ other current quarterbacks.
Stidham isn’t terrible, but he showed during his outing in last season’s AFC Championship Game that Denver needs a better backup quarterback. Things haven’t always been pretty since Rattler started his NFL career, but he’s also never been coached by someone of Payton’s caliber.
Rattler was drafted in the same quarterback class as Nix in the 2024 NFL Draft, and even though he doesn’t have as many career rushing yards as Nix, he has averaged more yards per carry.
Payton and Webb would help Rattler limit how often he throws interceptions, and having another mobile quarterback who can also throw would give the Broncos security, which could increase their chances of being just as effective if Nix goes down with another injury next season.
Moreover, Rattler can be to the Broncos what Justin Fields is to the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback, Patrick Mahomes: a solid backup who has starter experience and is willing to take a back seat but can still lead the charge if called upon.
Rattler can build strong chemistry with an elite group of wide receivers
During his time in New Orleans, Rattler played with talented wide receivers, including Brandin Cooks, Rashid Shaheed, and Chris Olave. However, each wide receiver corps he’s worked with isn’t as stacked as Denver’s current wide receiver room.
With the Broncos, Rattler would be able to form connections with Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, and Marvin Mims Jr. Another plus is that Rattler already has a connection with Mims, as both were teammates at Oklahoma.
Being surrounded by each of these wide receivers would definitely help Rattler become the best he’s ever been as a quarterback. Even if Nix were to never deal with any injuries again, which would mean no playing time for Rattler, he would definitely leave Denver more skilled and prepared to be a starting quarterback for another team.
