The Saints came out of their preseason opener with a loss to the Jaguars, and the bigger takeaway for New Orleans may be less about the final score than what it means for the quarterback room.
With the starters held out, Saturday was about avoiding injuries and sorting out the roster battles. Tyler Shough is already drawing plenty of attention, and for good reason. Spencer Rattler got the start against Jacksonville, just as he did when the Saints opened the 2025 season, but it was Zach Wilson - the former top two draft pick - who stood out.
That’s why the Saints have a real decision to make. Every team now keeps three quarterbacks, a reality shaped by the 49ers’ issues in the NFC Championship against the Eagles in 2022. In that context, New Orleans should at least consider whether Rattler could bring back a draft pick.
Wilson looks like the kind of backup a team wants sitting behind the starter: athletic, capable of making a few big plays, and not someone you want leaning on too heavily. His showing against the Jaguars only strengthened that case. He was not flawless, but he did more to create plays than Rattler did.
That said, the market question cuts both ways. It’s more likely another team would come calling for Rattler than Wilson.
Rattler has been the steadier starter, while Wilson brings the kind of traits that still tempt teams to take a swing. If a club is choosing between them, it is still a gamble either way.
The reason to lean Wilson is simple: athletic upside. The reason another team might prefer Rattler is just as straightforward. Former first-round quarterbacks get more chances in the NFL - think Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, both from the same draft class.
As for trade value, the Saints probably aren’t looking at anything dramatic. A late, late-round pick is the most likely return for either quarterback at this point. And there’s always the danger in moving on from a capable passer.
New Orleans is trying to chase the playoffs, which means the Saints can’t really afford to be careless about quarterback depth. At the same time, planning for injuries is never simple. The fact that Wilson was added as a third quarterback on the roster tells you plenty about how the NFL sees him.
In Other News...
Cowboys Crossed A Line In Practice And Schottenheimer Made It Clear
Joint practices are supposed to sharpen both teams before the games start counting, but the Cowboys and Saints got plenty of edge and not nearly enough clean reps during a chippy session that spilled into multiple fights. At least six altercations broke out as the two sides traded more than just competitive looks, and Cowboys linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku was ejected after throwing a punch.
For New Orleans, the takeaway was less about any one skirmish and more about how quickly the day unraveled. Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer made clear he was disappointed in the practice, saying the team needed disciplined aggression and simply did not get enough productive work out of the session, while also pointing to Ezeiruakus earlier practice incident as another reminder that mistakes in this setting can carry real consequences. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Quarterback Battle Feels Far From Settled Ahead Of Rams Game
The Saints quarterback competition is still sorting itself out as they head toward their preseason meeting with the Rams, and Spencer Rattler appears likely to get another chance to open the game under center. Tyler Shough is expected to be held out again, leaving New Orleans with one fewer opportunity to get a clean look at a battle that has already had its share of uneven moments, including the recent joint practices against the Cowboys.
Zach Wilson remains part of the equation too, keeping the depth chart conversation from narrowing too quickly. The Rams have their own questions to answer at quarterback, with Matthew Stafford out of preseason action and no starter yet named for the game, so the matchup in Los Angeles could end up being as much about evaluation as execution for both sides. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Got An Early Warning Against A Serious NFC Contender
The Saints got an early look at what can make the Rams such a difficult NFC opponent when the two teams worked together in joint practice. Matthew Stafford looked sharp, and his connection with Davante Adams stood out as one of the days clearest themes, while tight end Terrance Ferguson and receivers Konata Mumpfield and Jordan Whittington also had productive stretches. Puka Nacua was out of practice, but the group around Stafford still gave New Orleans plenty to process on a day that offered more speed and variety than a normal training camp session.
There were a few other notes worth tracking for the Saints, too. Backup quarterbacks Stetson Bennett and Ty Simpson both had rough patches before settling in some, with Bennett having the slight edge, while Josaiah Stewart made his presence felt on defense with disruptive work throughout the session. Even special teams drew attention, as Ethan Evans had some accuracy concerns that stood out in the controlled setting, giving New Orleans a broader snapshot of the Rams depth beyond the headline names. [Read more 🡒]