The New Era in the Big Easy: Tyler Shough is QB1, but Who Holds the Clipboard at QB2?

The winds of change have officially swept through the Caesars Superdome. As we look ahead to the start of the 2026 NFL season, the New Orleans Saints are no longer searching for their identity under center. The keys to Kellen Moore’s offense have been firmly handed to sophomore quarterback Tyler Shough.

For a franchise that spent years trying to find stability in the post-Drew Brees era, Shough’s meteoric rise last season was exactly what the doctor ordered. Taking over the starting job in Week 9 of his rookie year, the former second-round pick out of Louisville put the league on notice. Shough completed 67.6% of his passes for 2,384 yards and 10 touchdowns, adding another three scores on the ground. He finished his inaugural campaign leading all rookie signal-callers in passing yards per game, completion percentage, and passer rating—ultimately finishing as the runner-up for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Now, entering his first full offseason as the unquestioned starter, the floor is remarkably high. Shough enters Year 2 with a deep familiarity with Moore’s playbook, an explosive new backfield weapon in Travis Etienne Jr., and a primed connection with top targets Chris Olave and rookie Jordyn Tyson. The starting job belongs to number 6, and the expectations are safely set on a major sophomore leap.

But while the QB1 debate is dead and buried, a equally critical question looms over training camp: Who will be QB2 behind Tyler Shough?

In today’s game the backup quarterback is always one play away from being the most important person in the building. As the Saints gear up for a run at the NFC South crown, securing a reliable insurance policy is paramount. The quarterback room features a fascinating mix of raw potential, developmental talent, and veteran redemption arcs.

The Incumbent Draft-Mate: Spencer Rattler

Last summer, Spencer Rattler won the initial three-man training camp battle to open the 2025 season as the starter. However, a tough 1–7 start for the team opened the door for Shough to step in and never look back.

Rattler has undeniable arm talent and the context of knowing Kellen Moore’s system just as long as Shough. Having a young backup who already has real-game starting experience in the same offense is a luxury. He knows the expectations, knows the locker room, and understands what it takes to prepare at this level. If the Saints want absolute continuity in their scheme, keeping Rattler as the direct deputy makes a mountain of sense.

The Wildcard Reclamation Project: Zach Wilson

If the Saints want to lean into pure, high-upside talent for the backup role, Zach Wilson remains one of the most polarizing and intriguing names on the fringe. The former number two overall pick has experienced the absolute ringer of NFL scrutiny.

When Wilson is right, he possesses off-platform throwing ability and arm elasticity that few backups can replicate. In a stable environment like New Orleans—shielded from the immediate pressure of starting and working alongside a highly praised offensive mind in Kellen Moore—Wilson could quietly reinvent himself. If he can demonstrate a firm grasp of the playbook and limit the mistakes that plagued his early career, his raw ceiling might be too tempting for the coaching staff to ignore for the primary backup spot.

The Camp Battle Ahead

As Phase Three of the offseason program ramps up and training camp nears, the battle for the clipboard will be just as fiercely contested as last year’s fight for the crown. Will Kellen Moore favor the familiar, gritty resilience of Spencer Rattler, or will the staff try to extract the untapped potential of a veteran wildcard like Zach Wilson?

Tyler Shough is firmly in the driver’s seat to lead the Saints back to the postseason. But as any seasoned Who Dat fan knows, the strength of the entire room matters. The battle for QB2 is officially underway, and the answer will shape the Saints’ safety net for the entire 2026 campaign.