Kellen Moore stops short of naming a new starting QB, but says change is coming
We've seen the New Orleans Saints make a quarterback change, but will it stick? Head coach Kellen Moore stopped short of naming Tyler Shough his starter in next week's game against the Los Angeles Rams after Shough replaced Spencer Rattler in the third quarter of Sunday's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But that doesn't mean it won't be Shough taking first-team reps in practice this week and preparing to start in L.A. To put it another way, the changes on offense may not lie just at quarterback.
"We've got to evaluate this whole thing in the next 48 hours on offense," Moore told reporters after the game. "Find the solutions that may give us the best chance to win. Tyler went in there and looked the part, he made some plays, the one interception was unfortunate, gave us a chance to convert there. We'll obviously make that evaluation here quickly and make the decision moving forward."
Trade rumors have swirled around the Saints receiving corps; the team hasn't received any serious offers for Chris Olave, but his running-mate Rashid Shaheed and their veteran mentor Brandin Cooks have each drawn credible interest. Moving one of them would open more reps in the rotation for Devaughn Vele, who the Saints traded for late in the preseason, and who hasn't seen enough catchable passes thrown his way through eight weeks.
Still, quarterback remains the game's most important position. Shough was put in a difficult situation, down multiple scores, and asked to throw 30 times across the Saints' final four drives. Rattler was benched after turning the ball over six times in six quarters, a point when he was hurting the rest of the offense. Hopefully Shough can better protect the football and find a spark before this season goes fully out of reach.a
Insider Links Red Sox To Brewers Ace Freddy Peralta
Unfortunately, we are not going to see the Boston Red Sox take the field for a game for a few months.
The club will report for Spring Training in February and we'll see Spring Training games begin shortly afterward. Then, the regular season will begin in March. Boston's first game of the 2026 regular season is scheduled for March 26th against the Cincinnati Reds.
It's going to be a long few months as the team attempts to determine a path forward to add even more talent to the organization. The vibes around the organization are higher than they have been for years, which makes the offseason feel even longer. It's an interesting time for the team and they have work to do, specifically in the starting rotation. There's already been a lot said about potential fits for the rotation, although it is a bit early with the World Series still underway.
That's what happens when you're a good team with the means to add pieces and become great, though. That's what adding a high-end starter arguably would do for this team. It's early, but there's buzz out there starting and one example was
"Peralta is expected to finish in the top three in the NL Cy Young Award voting this offseason," Bowden said. "The Brewers have an $8 million team option on him for next season that they will certainly pick up. However, after picking up that option, the Brewers are expected to do the exact same thing they did two years ago with their then-ace Corbin Burnes and trade him.
The Red Sox should call the Brewers this winter
"Peralta is coming off the best year of his career as he’s really figured out how to use and mix his dominant stuff. Fastball Freddy held opposing batters to a .209 average against his four-seamer, .173 against his changeup, .183 against his curveball and .157 against his slider. He’s a true top-of-the-rotation ace at age 29. There will be plenty of interest in him on the trade market, with the Red Sox, Orioles, Mets, Angels, Astros, Giants, Padres, and Tigers all likely to inquire on him."
Peralta is coming off a season that should get him Cy Young Award votes, although Paul Skenes is the heavy favorite to win the award in the National League. He had a 2.70 ERA in 33 starts to go along with a 17-6 record for Milwaukee.
He's the type of guy that Boston fans would love and would help the rotation without breaking the bank -- at least for 2026 -- as he has an $8 million club option
Peralta is a workhorse and hasn't had under 165 2/3 innings pitched in a season since 2022. Adding a dependable, legit star to pair with Garrett Crochet, like Peralta, should be Boston's next step forward.
