Only 1 Starting Quarterback Competition Remains Heading Into NFL Season

Only 1 Starting Quarterback Competition Remains Heading Into NFL Season originally appeared on The Spun.

As the 2025 regular season approaches, all but one NFL team has named a starting quarterback.

The Indianapolis Colts resolved one of the league's preseason quarterback battles by naming Daniel Jones their starter over Anthony Richardson. The Cleveland Browns also sided with veteran experience, giving Joe Flacco the Week 1 nod over Dillon Gabriel, Kenny Pickett, and Shedeur Sanders.

That leaves the New Orleans Saints as the last team yet to name their QB1. New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore told reporters Tuesday that he remains undecided entering Saturday's final preseason games against the Denver Broncos.

"We're going through that process right now," Moore said. "Letting these guys continue to go through this journey. They've done some really good work, and so we'll put ourselves in position for this Denver game, and we'll see how it goes from there."

A 'very close' competition

The Saints found themselves lacking a clear starting quarterback following Derek Carr's abrupt retirement in May. They spent the No. 40 pick on Tyler Shough, who's now competing with Spencer Rattler for the job.

Shough completed nine of 12 passes for 66 yards in New Orleans' second preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Rattler went 18 of 24 for 199 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.

"There was some good process and good sequencing there from his standpoint," Moore said of Shough. "I thought Spence came in and obviously gave us a couple of big plays."

Moore also praised Rattler for overcoming the turnover to lead a "really good" two-minute drive that culminated in a touchdown and game-tying two-point conversion.

"Just the whole operation," Moore said. "Guys being on the same page, understanding their responsibilities. The urgency in which we played with. I thought there was a lot of good at the end. We'll continue to evaluate."

Moore wouldn't tip his hand on who's leading the race. The first-year head coach joked that even his kids are grilling him for information, but he insists the competition remains tight.

"Going all the way back to the start of training camp, everything is very, very close between this group," he said. "So we'll see how it all plays out."

The Saints begin the regular season against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 7.

Only 1 Starting Quarterback Competition Remains Heading Into NFL Season first appeared on The Spun on Aug 19, 2025

This story was originally reported by The Spun on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared.