Former South Carolina captain Spencer Rattler impressing as NFL starter

Former South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler finished the 2024 season, his rookie year in the NFL, as the starter for the New Orleans Saints. Success was up and down for Rattler, and the Saints lost every game down the stretch.

However, things are looking up in 2025.

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Rattler has been very efficient and ranks among the top 20 in the NFL in most passing categories. He has just one interception, a number only two other primary starters have bested. He also has the NFL’s second-longest pass of the season, an 87-yard strike to Rashid Shaheed. Rattler is third in the league in total completions.

Although the Saints remain an underwhelming football team because of the talent (or lack of talent) on the roster, Rattler led the team to a 12-point victory on Sunday against the New York Giants. In a stat that doesn’t feel real, he is the first quarterback drafted by the franchise to win a game as the starter since 1998.

Against the Giants, he had a perfect passer rating on playaction attempts. He also avoided any sacks despite facing 17 pressures on the day, the best avoidance mark in the NFL this year.

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His strong play has held off second-round rookie Tyler Shough, a player many thought New Orleans drafted to start. In fact, the former South Carolina star has drawn praise from many around the pro football world.

Former NFL defensive back and current ESPN analyst Ryan Clark said that Rattler “deserved to be a starting quarterback in this league.”

San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh argued that Rattler will be a “household QB” soon enough.

Long-time sports writer John Frascella even argued that Rattler might be the most underrated player in the NFL.

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Rattler and the Saints will be in action again on Sunday. They will play at home against the New England Patriots at 1:00 p.m. on CBS.

During his South Carolina football career, Rattler had one of the best two-year runs of any Gamecock quarterback.

The Oklahoma Sooner-turned South Carolina Gamecock threw for over 3000 yards in both 2022 and 2023. He also owns the Carolina records for single-game passing yards with six and career completion percentage at 67.5%. In 2022, Rattler led USC to back-to-back top 10 wins over Tennessee and Clemson, booting both rivals from the College Football Playoff race. Then, in 2023, he helped wide receiver Xavier Legette to All-American honors.

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