A new coach and a new quarterback has been a successful combination to take a team from the cellar to the playoffs in recent years. Two years ago, the Houston Texans rose from the cellar in the AFC South to a division title and opening postseason win with first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Last season, the Washington Commanders rose from the depths of their division standings in the NFC East behind first-year head coach Dan Quinn and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Commanders success included a pair of postseason wins that notably knocked the top seed Detroit Lions out of the competition while Washington advanced all the way to the NFC Championship Game.
So, with that as a backdrop, how do you think the New Orleans Saints are going to do this season with first-year head coach Kellen Moore and their recently named new starting quarterback, Spencer Rattler? The fifth round 2024 draft selection beat out a pair of other signal callers to win the starting job. Rookie Tyler Shough has been slotted second on the depth chart and Jake Haener was released by the Saints on Tuesday.
Will the new coach and quarterback generate results that parallel the success enjoyed by the Texans and Commanders?
Not likely.
The Saints switch at quarterback was required when veteran Derek Carr was forced to retire after a series of injuries. When Moore left the offensive coordinator position with the Philadelphia Eagles in February, he thought his quarterback this season was going to be Carr.