After a rough 23-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8, the New Orleans Saints have hit rock bottom at 1-7. Spencer Rattler got the start, but it’s clear things just haven’t clicked for him. And naturally, the question everyone’s been asking is, will Kellen Moore finally make a change and hand the reins to rookie Tyler Shough?

Well, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, that’s exactly what’s happening. The Saints have benched Rattler and are rolling with Shough as their QB1 for Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams.

“Sources: The future is now in New Orleans, with the #Saints making rookie QB Tyler Shough their starter,” the analyst shared the news via his ‘X’ handle. “Spencer Rattler now heads to the bench, while the second-rounder moves to the forefront in a decision coach Kellen Moore informed them of today.”

At this point, let’s just say we all saw this decision coming from the head coach. During their Week 8 loss to the Bucs, the No. 40 overall pick took over when the Saints were trailing 17-3.  And you can tell why. Through Sunday’s game, the Saints sit near the bottom in almost every key offensive category.

We’re talking 27th in total offense with just 295 yards a game, 22nd in passing at 201.4, and 29th in scoring, averaging only 16 points per game. And if that wasn’t enough, Rattler’s been a turnover machine lately. He committed six turnovers in the last couple of games (four picks and two lost fumbles). So yes, Moore’s call to give Shough a shot against the Bucs wasn’t exactly out of left field. It just made sense.

“We just needed a spark,” the HC said. “Spencer’s had some turnover bugs the last few weeks, but he’s played plenty of good football.”

Shough then went on to finish the game with 17-of-30 for 128 yards with an interception. He also rushed for 12 yards. In the process, the rookie took a couple of sacks. Rattler, on the other hand, has now been benched after he completed 68 percent of his passes for 1,586 yards with eight touchdowns and five picks. During his eight-week tenure as the QB1, he led the team to a 1-7 record.

Spencer Rattler on being benched against the Buccaneers

Spencer Rattler’s starting career in professional football is nothing short of a nightmare. In his rookie season, the quarterback got six starts when Derek Carr got injured, who ultimately retired earlier this year. The Saints went on to lose all six of those games. Fast forward to now, and nothing seems to have changed. After all, Rattler now sits with 1-13 in the NFL.

The Saints drafted Tyler Shough in the second round earlier this year. But Rattler, now in his second season, got the nod to run the offense. However, things have not gone according to plan. The struggles have piled up, and Coach Moore finally decided to sit Rattler down in Week 8. Now, Rattler’s broken his silence and shared his thoughts on getting benched.

“We came out of the half, didn’t have a great drive, kept getting backed up. Just really couldn’t catch a rhythm. And he said, ‘Hey, we’re going to go with Tyler, get a little spark, see what’s going to happen,'” Rattler said.

Before getting benched, Rattler went 15-of-21 for 136 yards, one interception, and a fumble. Though his replacement, Shough, couldn’t lead the Saints to a win, sure. But Kellen Moore and Co. are now heading into Week 9 with Shough as the starter against the Rams.