Front row seat to a Hall-of-Fame mentor

THIBODAUX, La. (WGNO) — When the Saints pick Spencer Rattler in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the former Gamecock quarterback joins a team where the rookie already has a connection. Archie Manning has been mentoring Rattler, since the QB transfers to South Carolina, and Manning recalls how a small similarity leads to the two quarterbacks’ strong bond.

“At camp, Spencer was a little special. I always sit on the front row at our staff meetings. Spencer was always early and always sat on the front row right here. I actually just talked to Spencer more than I did the other quarterbacks. He’s an early bird. I’m kind of an early bird,” the Saints Hall-of-Famer said.

Manning and Rattler now share more than sleep schedules, as the Cocks’ QB joins his mentor’s NFL team, and while the Black and Gold legend highlights which character traits have drawn the two together, the rookie’s reaction to joining the Saints matches Manning’s enthusiasm.

“Full circle world. Archie Manning would text me every week throughout the season, just checking up on me, saying congrats, keep your head in there. He’s always been in my corner, ever since I went to the Manning Camp two years ago, down there in Thibodaux. Amazing family, love Archie. Being able to have that relationship, I think it’s awesome and just blessed to be picked where he’s a legend,” the fifth-round pick recanted on his draft night zoom.

“I think he had a little gleam in his eye. He really enjoyed being here. He enjoyed being around the other quarterbacks. He enjoyed coaching the kids. Got to know him better, I was excited, when he got picked, and I went out to rookie minicamp just to see Spencer and say hello to him,” Manning added.

The South Carolina signal caller is now about three weeks away from his first NFL training camp. However, when New Orleans hits the turf in Irvine, California, the Black and Gold’s backup quarterback battle continues. Rattler, first-year Saint Nathan Peterman and 2023 fourth-rounder Jake Haener continue their bout to be QB2. Manning expresses optimism about his mentee’s opportunity, and Rattler has gotten reps with the Saints’ second-string players.

“He’s going to work hard. He’s got competition. I don’t know if he can be number two or not, but I think Spencer’s got a good future. He’s a good kid. I think he gets it. It’s a new system. That’s probably to his advantage there: That it’s kind of new,” Manning stated.

“I think just getting reps and reps. Twos, threes, bouncing back-and-forth every day. Just getting chemistry with the guys, and it’s been great. Everyday, we’ve taken a step, and cleaned up areas and just trying to strive for that efficiency every day,” Rattler said regarding his progress from rookie camp to mandatory minicamp.

Manning can see Rattler suit up in the Black and Gold for the first time on Aug. 10, when the Saints face the Arizona Cardinals in their preseason opener.

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