ClutchPoints
For the New Orleans Saints, training camp was supposed to be the beginning of a new chapter. It was supposed to be full of energy, youth, and renewed direction. Instead of clarity, though, camp has brought confusion. And instead of a team taking its next step, one side of the ball has already taken a step back. After nine practices, the Saints’ biggest question mark isn’t just unanswered. It’s dragging the offense into dangerous territory.
New head coach Kellen Moore is leading his first training camp in New Orleans after taking over in February, replacing Dennis Allen. His arrival is just one of several major shifts that the Saints roster has undergone this offseason. The most jarring came in May, when veteran quarterback Derek Carr unexpectedly announced his retirement. That caught the franchise off guard just ahead of organized team activities.
Carr’s departure left the Saints without a clear leader under center. It also set the stage for a wide-open quarterback competition that’s now front and center in the 2025 preseason. The trio of Spencer Rattler (Year 2), Tyler Shough (rookie), and Jake Haener (Year 3) are all in contention for the starting job. Each brings a unique skill set, but none has pulled ahead in the race. Moore has opted to rotate all three through first-team snaps in an effort to foster competition. However, this revolving door at quarterback has disrupted offensive flow. That lack of continuity is becoming increasingly evident just two weeks into camp.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the New Orleans Saints’ biggest reason to panic after the start of 2025 NFL training camp.
The biggest reason for concern in Saints camp? The offense. Through the first nine practices, cohesion has been elusive, consistency nonexistent, and confidence visibly shaken. The unit hasn’t just underwhelmed. It’s been routinely outplayed by a defense that finished just 19th in the league in points allowed last season.
Despite preseason optimism, the three-man quarterback rotation has created more questions than answers. No one has seized control of the job. Rattler, who was a fifth-round pick last year, has shown glimpses of progress. His deep ball flashes and his pocket movement is improved. However, his inconsistent reps have hurt his timing with receivers.
Shough, the second-round rookie from Texas Tech, has taken early first-team reps and impressed with his arm strength. That said, his accuracy under pressure has been a problem. Too many balls have sailed or bounced in front of targets. Meanwhile, Jake Haener, who was once seen as a potential hidden gem, has been steady, but unspectacular. He has fans in the building, but unless something drastic changes, he appears to be the odd man out in the race for QB1.
The uncertainty at quarterback has had a domino effect. Without a clear starter, timing with the receiving corps has been spotty. Protection calls have been inconsistent. Most importantly, the offense can’t...
