Saints Wrap Up OTAs With QB Battle Heating Up, Taylor Emerging in Secondary

As the New Orleans Saints bring their 2025 Organized Team Activities to a close, one thing is clear: this team is working to bury the disappointment of last season's 5-12 finish and forge a new identity under first-year head coach Kellen Moore.

The most talked-about storyline exiting OTAs? The quarterback competition between second-year pro Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough, the team’s second-round pick out of Texas Tech. It’s a battle that’s been neck-and-neck throughout the offseason program — and one that doesn’t appear to have a clear frontrunner yet.

Both quarterbacks have had strong moments across OTAs. On Thursday, during a red zone-heavy practice, Rattler went 6-of-8 with three touchdowns, while Shough finished 7-of-8 with a score of his own. The two rotated first- and second-team reps, continuing the even split that’s defined the competition since Day 1.

Though stats rarely tell the full story — especially in non-contact drills — Shough had one of the day’s most eye-catching throws, a perfectly placed sail route to Juwan Johnson for a 6-yard touchdown. There seemed to be a coverage breakdown involving rookie Kool-Aid McKinstry, but even so, the throw was an example of the touch and ball placement that made the Saints invest in Shough.

Still, Shough also showed some of the hesitation typical of young quarterbacks, especially when working in a compressed red zone setting. There were moments when both QBs missed open wheel routes out of the backfield, likely designed reads that never got targeted.

Rattler, meanwhile, continues to show growth going into his second season. His command of the offense is noticeably improved, and while he was conservative at times — perhaps wisely so inside the 20 — he delivered a few highlight throws. His best of the day came on a scramble right, rifling a strike to Kevin Austin Jr. in traffic for a touchdown. Another standout moment was a laser to Chris Olave on a skinny post during drills. Though he had one over-aggressive throw tipped by Tre Fluellen, nearly picked by Isaac Yiadom, Rattler’s progress year-over-year is impossible to ignore.

Head coach Kellen Moore weighed in on the quarterback competition, emphasizing process over performance.

“We want guys getting reps, learning from mistakes — and not making the same mistake twice,” Moore said. “That’s how we’re evaluating this. Both Spencer and Tyler have responded well.”

So far, Rattler has finished OTAs completing 24-of-28 passes with 3 touchdowns. Shough, right on his heels, wrapped things up at 23-of-28, also with 3 scores and a lone interception. It’s too close to call, and the real battle is expected to unfold during training camp and preseason, when full-contact sessions begin.

While all eyes have been on the quarterbacks, one of the more quietly impressive storylines has been the emergence of Alontae Taylor in the secondary. With the Saints moving on from key veterans and needing new leaders to emerge on defense, Taylor has stepped up in a big way. Coaches and teammates have taken note of his energy, communication, and improved technique — especially in Thursday’s finale, where he strung together arguably his best practice of the offseason.

Taylor is expected to be one of the primary pieces in the Saints’ defensive backfield this season, and his development couldn’t come at a better time.

Next week, the Saints will begin mandatory minicamp, which will be open to the fans — offering the public its first real look at the new era of Saints football under Kellen Moore. While the stats during OTAs suggest a tight race at quarterback, the story is still unfolding. Mini-camp and training camp will give coaches a more complete picture.

For now, the Saints exit OTAs with cautious optimism, two promising quarterbacks battling for the reins, and a hungry young defense led by an ascending Alontae Taylor — all focused on rewriting the narrative of 2025.