Spencer Rattler impresses in NFL preseason debut with New Orleans Saints
Spencer Rattler has received rave reviews from his teammates and the New Orleans Saints’ coaching staff throughout the preseason.
Fellow Saints quarterback Derek Carr described Rattler as “hungry” on an episode of the Green Light Podcast posted May 24. Saints head coach Dennis Allen told reporters in early August that Rattler was “improving every day” during training camp.
On Saturday, Rattler had his first opportunity to showcase the skills his teammates and coaches previously talked about during a live game situation. And he made the most of it, leading the Saints on a game-winning drive to earn a 16-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
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Rattler would finish the contest with a 52.9% completion percentage (9-17) and 70 passing yards. He also added eight rushing yards and one touchdown on two attempts.
“I thought he executed with poise; I thought he made some plays. I thought he was able to create a little bit with his feet when things didn’t go exactly how you wanted it to,” Allen said. “So, I thought he did a good job.”
Rattler first appeared in the game at the beginning of the third quarter. He came in relief of quarterback Jake Haener, who played much of the first half.
The Saints marched down the field with a combination of run plays and a pass interference call before Rattler completed his first NFL pass to Dallin Holker for a 15-yard gain. Rattler would eventually finish the drive with a four-yard rushing touchdown, the first of his professional career. The touchdown and ensuing point after attempt gave New Orleans a 13-7 lead.
The score would remain close the rest of the way. And the Cardinals would eventually re-take the lead with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
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That didn’t stop the Saints from winning the game, though. Rattler orchestrated a 12-play, 56-yard drive that was capped off by a game-winning field goal by Charlie Smyth.
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Allen said Rattler and Haener performed well despite the pressure of playing in crunch time. He added that giving both quarterbacks opportunities to operate in such a situation was important for their development.
“I thought both of them made plays. I thought both of them did some good stuff. Both of them led two-minute drives. You can never get enough of that type of situational work,” Allen said. “I think, in particular for those two young guys to be put in those situations, I thought both of them responded well.”
With four weeks until the regular season begins, Rattler and Haener have areas to improve in, Allen said. But Allen was impressed with both quarterback’s performances in their respective 2024 debuts.
“I was pleased with what we were able to get accomplished there with those two players. Now, we’re going to go back, we’re going to look at the tape, and we’re going to go make the corrections we need to make. There’s some things that we have to be better at,” Allen said. “But I thought, overall, for a first preseason game, and this being Spencer’s first shot out, I was pleased with what I saw.”
