Rattler has yet to appear in a regular-season game, but performed well enough in preseason action (20 of 38, 202 yards, one touchdown) to get Saints fans quietly talking about his potential. With Carr suffering an oblique injury that is expected to keep him out for several weeks, New Orleans decided to take a look at Rattler, whom they prefer over backup Jake Haener. When Carr was injured in the Saints’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, Haener entered the game, while Rattler was the emergency third QB. Now he will be QB1.

Rattler, a former five-star prospect out of Arizona, began his collegiate career at Oklahoma before transferring to South Carolina after losing his starting job to Caleb Williams. He left Columbia having completed 67.5% of his passes for 6,212 yards, 37 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, but failed to attract much attention in a QB-laden 2024 draft class, leading to his fifth-round selection (150th overall ).

With Drake Maye set to make his first start for New England on Sunday, Rattler and Maye will become the fourth and fifth rookie quarterbacks to start a game in the 2024 season. However, Rattler will be the first rookie quarterback selected outside the first round.