Spencer Rattler scores first NFL touchdown on four-yard run

Spencer Rattler a major milestone on Saturday as he scored for his first career NFL touchdown in the Saints’ preseason opener against the Cardinals. It wasn’t through the air, but on the ground as the quarterback scrambled into the end zone on a four-yard run.

Rattler was met at the goal line by a defender and was originally ruled short of scoring. However, a review from officials would reveal that he managed to get the ball across the plane and it was reversed for a touchdown. You can view the moment below.

RULED A #SAINTS TOUCHDOWN!!!

Rattler runs it in for a 4-yd score 🙌@GamecockFB | 📺: @FOX8NOLA pic.twitter.com/DjIxmuQaCg

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 11, 2024

Rattler was a fifth-round pick for New Orleans this past season and is battling second-year player Jake Haener for the backup role. He spent the past two years as the quarterback at South Carolina after beginning his college career at Oklahoma.

Rattler is a former five-star recruit who ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in the 2019 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was at one point thought to be a future first-round pick after leading the Sooners to a Big 12 title in 2020.

The quarterback finished that season, his first as starter, with 3,031 yards passing and 28 touchdowns to seven interceptions.

Unfortunately, things would quickly go south for Rattler the following season in Norman. He started the first six games before eventually being benched in favor of true freshman Caleb Williams, who also happened to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft. That led to his decision to transfer to South Carolina in the offseason.

Rattler would go on to throw for 6,212 yards and 37 touchdowns to 20 interceptions over the next two years with the Gamecocks. He flashed his ceiling a few times, including a win against Tennessee in 2022 in which he threw for 438 yards and six touchdowns. Overall, however, he struggled with consistency as his draft stock fell from what it once was.

Still, the Saints see plenty of potential still there in the former five-star. Rattler has also been impressive in training camp so far according to New Orleans coach Dennis Allen.

“I think he’s improving every day,” Allen told reporters. “There’s still some things that he’s doing – just understanding how to play within the scheme of the offense, how to get through your progressions, knowing how to listen to your feet, when to take your chances down the field, when it’s time to check the ball down – all those things are pretty good learning experiences.

“I wanted to put him in a situation (Monday in practice), fourth-and-5, we’re in a move-the-ball situation see if he could execute and make a play. And he did, he made a hell of a throw on the out route to get the first down in that situation.”

All that in mind, Spencer Rattler will continue to prove himself an NFL-caliber player as he moves forward in his pro career, and Saturday was a good start.