JACKSON: Rattler may get a second chance

By Ross Jackson

Getting a win in Week 14 was a huge positive for the New Orleans Saints. It gives them win No. 5 on the season, keeps them (barely) alive in the NFC South division and most importantly continues to establish confidence as the team wraps up the season. The win is effectively a milestone win for interim head coach Darren Rizzi as well, happening just 12 miles from his childhood high school.

However, a dark cloud hangs over the win because of a potential pair of injuries to starting quarterback Derek Carr. On a 2nd and 9 rush off of a read option keeper, Carr elected to try to leap for a first down instead of sliding or running out of bounds just short of the marker. The attempt to go airborne for the fresh set of downs was admirable from a “leave-it-all-out-on-the-field” perspective but ended up creating the worst-case scenario for the team.

Carr left the game with a left hand injury and was evaluated for a concussion. There is still more imaging to be done in order to learn the full extent of his injuries. But the fear is a left-hand fracture which could require surgery. If that ends up being the diagnosis following Monday’s tests, Carr’s season would likely be over.

Then, the Saints must make a tough decision. They’ll have to decide, again, whether they turn things over at quarterback to second-year passer Jake Haener or go back to rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler.

While Rattler did get three starts earlier this season, all of which resulted in losses, going back to the rookie may be the right decision for New Orleans.

We caught up with the rookie earlier this week in a one-on-one conversation wherein he shared what he would do differently if given another chance as the Saints starter. Through his first three games as the go-to passer, he highlighted that using his legs more would absolutely be a part of his game.

With do-it-all tight end Taysom Hill no longer available this year, having the mobility in the backfield that Rattler can provide may be of interest.

The good news is that the Saints could make multiple decisions here. If Carr’s season is over, there are four games left in the year. New Orleans could go week-to-week on the decision. They could even give Rattler a “prove it” treatment by granting him start again against the Washington Commanders in Week 15 and then making the decision on the final three games from that performance. If he succeeds (which is not equal to a win for the team), he gets the next week and so on. Otherwise, should he struggle, the Saints could turn to Haener for the final three weeks.

Many will remember that Rattler was benched in the second half of his final start against the Los Angeles Chargers in favor of Haener. That could make it seem like the team has already made up its mind on this decision. However, it’s not that cut-and-dried of a situation.

Team sources tell LouisianaSports.Net that the decision to bench Rattler was one solely pioneered by the team’s former coach, Dennis Allen. Meaning that advocacy from offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak nor quarterback’s coach Andrew Janocko was not the impetus for the switch at quarterback.

With that, the Saints offensive coaching staff as it stands, without Allen at the team’s helm, could still want to see more from Rattler who performed more of his role in those three starts without starters on the interior offensive line. In some cases, backups of backups were playing on the inside of the protection unit.

Rattler won’t have the benefit of taking the field with wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, nor the partnership of tight end Taysom Hill in the backfield. But the Saints run game could be helped by not only star back Alvin Kamara but second-year rusher Kendre Miller. The TCU alum had an impressive return to the lineup against the Giants. The team’s tight end room has also been making major contributions in the passing game, and rookie wideout Bub Means is on the mend, with whom Rattler has a standout rapport.

Truly, no decision is the wrong decision for New Orleans in this situation, should Carr be shut down for any amount of time. While rolling again with Rattler may be the option that few may expect based on perception of his previous three starts, it may be exactly what the Saints decide is best for their team. At least beginning with Week 15 against the Commanders.