### Saints' Quarterback Shake-Up: Tyler Shough Takes the Helm Amid Struggles The New Orleans Saints have made a significant change in their quarterback lineup, opting to start rookie Tyler Shough over second-year player Spencer Rattler. This decision comes after a disappointing performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where the Saints lost 23-3, prompting head coach Kellen Moore to seek a spark for the struggling offense. Rattler, who had been the starter for the first seven games of the season, was benched in the third quarter after a lackluster performance that included three sacks and a pick-6. Shough, drafted in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, is now set to lead the team as they prepare for their upcoming game against the Los Angeles Rams [https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nfl/new-orleans-saints/news/saints-qb-depth-chart-tyler-shough-starter-spencer-rattler/26d63f09ea37cedf3bf58f6f][https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/saints-reportedly-making-qb-change-tabbing-tyler-shough-spencer-rattler]. ### Breakdown of the Quarterback Situation 1. **Performance Review**: - Spencer Rattler's struggles included a 1-6 record in seven starts, with 1,450 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions [https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/3379209/saints-rattler-benched-for-shough-in-loss-to-bucs]. - In the game against the Buccaneers, Rattler's performance was marked by three turnovers and a total of only 87 offensive yards [https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/3379209/saints-rattler-benched-for-shough-in-loss-to-bucs]. 2. **Coaching Decisions**: - Kellen Moore's decision to bench Rattler was aimed at revitalizing the offense, which has been underperforming [https://apnews.com/article/saints-quarterbacks-spencer-rattler-tyler-shough-2342e7b90670dbbc8b6392b43db5ed41]. - Moore has indicated that he will take time to evaluate the entire offense before naming a starter for the next game [https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/kellen-moore-on-qb-plans-we-have-some-decisions-to-make-in-next-48-hours]. 3. **Rookie Performance**: - Tyler Shough, who had only thrown two passes prior to this game, completed 17 of 30 attempts for 128 yards and one interception in his debut [https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/breaking-news/article/rookie-saints-qb-tyler-shough-struggles-in-loss-to-bucs-after-taking-over-for-benched-spencer-rattler-222019644.html]. - Despite the loss, Shough's entry into the game was seen as a potential turning point for the Saints [https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/us-sports/why-spencer-rattler-is-not-playing-vs-tampa-bay-buccaneers-explaining-saints-sudden-tyler-shough-decision-101761517170229.html]. ### Summary of Findings **Key Takeaways**: 1. **Quarterback Change**: The Saints have officially named Tyler Shough as the starting quarterback, replacing Spencer Rattler after a series of poor performances. 2. **Coaching Strategy**: Head coach Kellen Moore is focused on evaluating the team's offensive strategy and will make decisions regarding the quarterback position in the coming days. 3. **Future Outlook**: The Saints are looking to improve their offensive output as they prepare for their next game against the Rams, with Shough now at the helm. This strategic shift reflects the Saints' urgent need to revitalize their offense and improve their standing in the league as they navigate the remainder of the season [https://whodatdish.com/kellen-moore-benched-spencer-rattler-and-now-refuses-to-name-the-saints-qb][https://whodatdish.com/saints-quarterback-conversation-needs-perspective-not-panic-01k84rfeyp3v].