The 2025 NFL season hasn’t even kicked off yet, and somehow two New York Giants quarterbacks are already stirring things up. In an article for FanSided, writer Justin Carter listed his pick for the worst starting quarterback in the league — Saints second-year QB Spencer Rattler — and followed it up by naming backups around the NFL who he believes would start for New Orleans on Day 1. Turns out, Carter knows ball.
Both Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston made the list. That’s right — both quarterbacks currently behind Russell Wilson on the depth chart were named as better options than the guy the Saints handed the keys to. And really, this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.
Rattler’s rookie numbers speak for themselves. In seven starts, he threw for just over 1,300 yards with four touchdowns, five interceptions, and a completion percentage of 57.0. Not exactly franchise-caliber stuff. And sure, outside of Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave, NOLA doesn’t have elite weapons. And if Dart or Winston were in New Orleans, there wouldn’t even be a quarterback debate.
Giants backups would already be starting in New Orleans
Winston’s résumé speaks for itself. He started the same number of games as Rattler last year and posted 800 more yards and nine more touchdowns — along with five more interceptions. His starts haven’t been consistent since leaving Tampa Bay, but he still proves he can win games when called upon.
Let’s be honest, this is a guy who once threw for over 5,000 yards in a season. That version of Winston is still in there somewhere. And beyond the stats, he’s still one of the most entertaining players in the league. In what’s likely to be a long season for New Orleans, at least Winston would’ve kept butts in seats.
Speaking of putting butts in seats, that’s exactly what Dart would be doing if he had landed in New Orleans. Saints fans got their fill of Rattler in 2024 and were ready to move on before 2025 even began. If Dart had gone to the Saints, he would’ve been named the starter almost immediately. For one, he’s a blank slate, and with that comes a sense of hope, not just for fans, but also for the organization. And second, he absolutely tore it up in the preseason. Sure, it’s not the regular season, but you can’t say Rattler ever looked like Dart did.
So yeah, Winston and Dart each win the job with ease if they’re in New Orleans. Thankfully, they’re here in New York, and we don’t have to worry about that.