Straight Talk: Saints’ Tyrann Mathieu Opens Up About Relating to Spencer Rattler’s Character Concerns
New Orleans Saints standouts Tyrann Mathieu and Spencer Rattler at the Caesars Superdome.
The New Orleans Saints made a bold move in the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting University of South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler. Despite six quarterbacks being chosen in the first round, Rattler’s name wasn’t called until the fifth round due to character concerns, a situation that Saints star Tyrann Mathieu can empathize with.
Mathieu, appearing on the “RG3 and The Ones” show hosted by former player Robert Griffin III, discussed his familiarity with Rattler dating back to their shared home state of Arizona. Mathieu even likened Rattler to the “Aaron Rodgers of high school football” and revealed, “I went through some of the same challenges.”
“We all go through challenging stuff, I went through some of the same challenges you know as a youngster,” Mathieu shared. “A lot of people that I’ve talked to they’ve said he’s turned the corner.”
Rattler’s character concerns stem from his appearance on the high school football reality show “QB1: Beyond the Lights,” where he wasn’t portrayed favorably. While some teams expressed reservations about this, others, including an anonymous source mentioned by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, believe Rattler has matured significantly since then.
Despite the character concerns, Rattler’s talent was undeniable, leading some to label the Saints’ selection of him as the “steal of the draft.” Fowler reported that the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos also held interest in Rattler.
As for Mathieu, entering his 12th NFL season and third with the Saints, he emphasized the team’s focus on hard work, stating, “Our motto this year is to keep our head down and work.”
New Orleans aims to bounce back from a disappointing 9-8 season, with Rattler expected to learn under starting quarterback Derek Carr while contributing from the sidelines.
