Spencer Rattler
QB #18 — New Orleans Saints
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About Spencer Rattler
Spencer Rattler was supposed to be the first overall pick. That was the consensus sometime around October 2020, when he was throwing touchdowns at Oklahoma and NFL draft Twitter had already fitted him for a franchise quarterback crown. Then Caleb Williams showed up, took his job, and Rattler became the cautionary tale that every draft analyst references when they want to sound smart about "the fall." He transferred to South Carolina, rebuilt some of his stock, went to New Orleans in the fifth round, and immediately became the most polarizing backup in the NFL before he ever took a meaningful snap.
The Saints fanbase is split into two camps that cannot coexist. Camp one believes Rattler has first-round arm talent trapped in a fifth-round situation, and all he needs is reps and confidence. Camp two believes he was benched at Oklahoma for a reason and the Saints should be drafting his replacement. There is no middle ground. Every preseason completion is treated like a prophecy. Every interception is treated like a funeral. Rattler's press conferences have the energy of a man who has heard every possible version of "what happened at Oklahoma" and has rehearsed seventeen different ways to say "I'm focused on right now."
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Spencer Rattler considered polarizing among Saints fans?
Because he carries the specific burden of having been projected as a top pick and then falling to the fifth round. Fans who believe in him see a redemption arc. Fans who don't see a guy who already lost one starting job to Caleb Williams. Every game he plays is treated as either proof that he was always this good or proof that Oklahoma was right. The discourse never reaches a conclusion because the sample size is never large enough to settle anything.
What career moments define Spencer Rattler's meme reputation?
Getting benched at Oklahoma for Caleb Williams on national television is the foundational moment. The camera cut to his face on the sideline became an instant reaction image. His draft slide from projected first overall to the fifth round added another layer. Then there's the weird energy of being a Saints quarterback, which comes with automatic comparisons to Drew Brees that no human being could survive.
Last updated: April 2026