Training camps have officially kicked off across the NFL, and the New Orleans Saints are deep into preparations for the upcoming season. Camp is being held in Metairie, Louisiana, and head coach Kellen Moore’s first preseason with the team is already full of storylines — from the battle for the starting quarterback job, to the emergence of new defensive leaders, to the pressure facing roster hopefuls on the bubble. With the first preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers just days away, here’s everything you need to know from the last two days of Saints camp.
Wednesday, Aug. 6 – Travel Day and Key Takeaways
The Saints did not take the practice field on Wednesday as the team traveled to California ahead of their matchup with the Chargers. While the day was light on on-field action, it gave players and coaches a chance to regroup and reflect on the first week of camp.
One of the biggest stories so far is the emergence of cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. After the offseason departures of Paulson Adebo and Marshon Lattimore, McKinstry has been tasked with stepping up as the team’s top outside cornerback. In his second NFL season, the young defensive back has impressed both teammates and coaches. Moore praised him this week, calling his progress “phenomenal” and expressing confidence that McKinstry is ready to take a significant leap in 2025.
But the looming question remains: Who will start at quarterback? The Saints have been rotating Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener in training camp, but recent reps suggest the competition is narrowing. Haener, who early in camp took some first-team snaps, has now been firmly with the third team for several practices. Meanwhile, Rattler has been given back-to-back opportunities with the starters, which could be an early sign of where the pecking order stands heading into the first preseason contest.
Tuesday, Aug. 5 – Transition Day After Grueling Scrimmage
Tuesday’s session was what Moore called a “transition practice,” coming on the heels of an intense full-team scrimmage on Sunday. Many players were still feeling the physical effects of that session, and the fatigue showed. There were multiple dropped passes and lapses in execution, particularly on offense.
Tyler Shough, who began the day working with the second-team offense, had a mixed performance. His best moment came early, rolling out to his right and hitting star wide receiver Chris Olave in stride. However, the rest of his day was challenging. He was intercepted by safety Jordan Howden and faced heavy pressure from the Saints’ defensive front. Pass-rushers Jonah Williams, Cameron Jordan, and Khalen Saunders each recorded what would have been sacks in a live game situation.
Spencer Rattler, getting another consecutive day as the first-team quarterback, also had his ups and downs. He narrowly avoided an interception when cornerback Alontae Taylor nearly picked off a pass intended for Olave. Still, Rattler has looked composed in the pocket and continues to get valuable chemistry-building reps with the starting offense.
Looking Ahead
The coming preseason games will be crucial for determining the Saints’ quarterback hierarchy. Moore has yet to name a starter for the Chargers game, but his recent practice rotations suggest that Rattler might have a slight edge over Shough for now. Haener’s move to third-team duties indicates he is likely out of the running for the Week 1 job unless something changes dramatically in the next two weeks.
Beyond the quarterback battle, Saints fans should keep an eye on McKinstry’s continued development, as well as the offensive consistency. The defense looks strong, but the offense needs sharper execution to keep pace in a competitive NFC South.
With joint practices, preseason matchups, and final roster cuts ahead, the next few weeks promise plenty of drama in Metairie — and potentially, the first glimpse of the Saints’ next franchise quarterback.
