The New Orleans Saints put their pads on Sunday for a full-scale scrimmage at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center, giving fans a clear view of the team’s offensive direction and quarterback competition. Under new head coach Kellen Moore, the Saints ran a fast-paced, aggressive session that showcased the team’s evolving identity.
Competition Heats Up at Quarterback
With Derek Carr retired, the Saints turned the starting quarterback position over to a trio of young players: rookie Tyler Shough, and second-year passers Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. The absence of Carr has created something rarely seen in today’s NFL: a true quarterback competition.
Rattler got first-team reps to start practice and played with poise in Moore’s system. According to ESPN’s Katherine Terrell, he led the team to points on his first possession, “going 5-of-8 with a dropped pass,” before settling for a field goal.
Meanwhile, Terrell reported that Shough “had one of his best practices of training camp,” completing all eight of his passes on his opening drive before capping it with a touchdown pass to tight end Michael Jacobson.
However, Saints Wire writer John Sigler said neither stood out. “Their play was up-and-down with some big throws, some stalling in the red zone, and some turnovers,” he wrote.
Jake Haener also logged reps with the third-team offense. It appears at the very least, what was a three-man race is starting to narrow to a two-man field.
Saints Embrace Kellen Moore’s Scheme
Kellen Moore showcased the direction he plans to take the offense. The Saints focused heavily on shotgun formations, motion, and tempo to keep the defense guessing. Moore incorporated runway plays that emphasized quick decision-making and spacing, traits he developed in previous stops.
He was encouraged by the pace, putting the Saints through their heaviest workload of camp so far. “I thought it was an awesome practice today, awesome scrimmage,” Moore said. We ran a ton of plays. We ran 126 (offensive) plays, so, might’ve broke the record..
Camp Scrimmage Structure: Bold and Live
Sunday’s session wasn’t structured like a walk-through. The Saints opted for live tackling drills early in camp, an aggressive twist on traditional training practices. With the team’s first preseason game only a week away, Moore wants to replicate game-level intensity sooner rather than later.
That approach paid dividends for the Saints’ defense early on. Newly acquired Julian Blackmon had a nice pace breakup and rookie Quincy Riley intercepted Shough.
Special Teams Comes Through
The Saints also used the scrimmage to evaluate roster depth and special teams roles. Kicker Blake Grupe went perfect on field goals. Punter Matthew Hayball consistently produced kicks that traveled over 50 yards.
Outlook for the Saints
Sunday’s scrimmage clarified where the Saints stand: Moore’s offense is sharpening, and the quarterback competition genuinely feels wide open. With preseason games approaching, all eyes will be on how Shough, Rattler, and Haener perform under pressure.
The Saints showed progress, energy, and a potential new direction on both sides of the ball. No matter what happens, the 2025 camp marks a turning point for New Orleans.
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