Both entered the NFL in the same 2024 class at very different values: Williams went No. 1 overall to Chicago, while Rattler waited until Day 3 to hear his name called.
All of that is in the past for the Rattler, who has seemed to take a firmer grip on the starting job thanks to the consistent performances he’s produced in recent weeks. He is eager to prove that he is the same prospect that was once thought to be talented.
“I like to line up with any of those guys in this (2024 draft) class,” Rattler said. “I’ve been competing with those guys since high school prom; I still do to this day. I love competing against those guys, and I definitely want to be named in that group, because I feel like confidence-wise, I’m up there with those guys.”
Despite New Orleans’ unacceptable record, the Rattlers are doing themselves some justice so far this season. He has completed 68.5 percent of his passes for 1,217 yards, a 6-1 TD-INT ratio and a 91.9 passer rating while rushing 26 times for 143 yards. At the very least, he’s proving he can handle the speed of the NFL game and first-year coach Kellen Moore’s offense. Those who have been watching closely know he’s performing well above the expectations set by his torrid rookie season — so well, in fact, that he’s just behind Williams in NFL.com’s QB Index (and could move ahead of his former teammate entering Week 7).
Perhaps Rattler’s journey was meant to prepare him for this opportunity all along.
“Just how to deal with adversity,” Rattler said of what he took away from his class and eventual transfer to South Carolina. “It’s not the first time a quarterback has had to go through that, so I’m not the only one. But adversity, that’s the quarterback, that’s what comes with the job. You’ve got to deal with it and move on to the next thing.”
Rattler has certainly done a good job of keeping the vehicle between the painted lines despite hitting many bumps in his football road. He’ll aim to write a memorable chapter — and perhaps get some sweet revenge — in the Windy City on Sunday.