Former South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler is facing a tough new chapter in his young NFL career. The New Orleans Saints officially benched the former Gamecock standout this week, turning to rookie Tyler Shough as their new starter after a rocky start to the season.
Once celebrated as South Carolina’s transfer savior and fan favorite, Rattler’s NFL journey has hit a snag. Through eight games, he’s gone 1-7 as a starter, struggling with six turnovers — including four interceptions and two fumbles — while the Saints offense sputtered behind a leaky offensive line.
Despite a 68% completion rate, Rattler’s lack of explosiveness has drawn criticism, with his yards per attempt ranking among the lowest in the league. The Saints, now 1-7 and searching for answers, decided it was time for a shake-up.
Head coach Kellen Moore pulled Rattler midway through Sunday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a game that saw Rattler throw a costly pick-six to linebacker Anthony Nelson in the first quarter. After the game, Moore told reporters he needed “48 hours to evaluate” before making a final decision on the quarterback position.
By midweek, the call was made. Shough — a second-round pick from Louisville — was officially named the starter for the Saints’ upcoming matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
“We need a spark,” Moore said. “Tyler’s done a great job preparing every week, and we feel it’s time to give him that opportunity.”
Shough impressed in the preseason with 333 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception in three appearances. He entered Sunday’s game with the Saints trailing 17-3 and completed 17 of 30 passes for 128 yards and one interception.
For Rattler, the demotion is a major setback after a promising college career that saw him become one of the most electric quarterbacks in South Carolina history. His poise, leadership, and arm talent made him a fan favorite in Columbia — and many Gamecock supporters were rooting for his NFL success.
Now, he’ll have to regroup and wait for his next opportunity.
“It’s a tough league,” Moore said. “Spencer’s handled everything with professionalism. This isn’t the end for him — it’s part of the process.”
As Rattler returns to the sidelines, Saints fans — and Gamecock Nation — will be watching closely to see if he can bounce back and reclaim his spot in the NFL spotlight.
