When Spencer Rattler walks into a room, he isn't the guy hitting his head on the doorframe. If you’ve watched him play, especially during his time at South Carolina or his recent stint with the New Orleans Saints, you know he plays big. But in the NFL, "playing big" and "being big" are two very different things.
People obsess over quarterback measurements. It’s kinda wild, actually. We act like an extra inch of height is the difference between a Hall of Fame jacket and a career on the practice squad. So, let’s get the numbers out of the way first.
How Tall Is Spencer Rattler, Really?
The official word? Spencer Rattler is 6 feet, 0 inches tall. Specifically, at the 2024 NFL Combine, he measured in at exactly 6'0 1/4". He weighs 211 pounds.
Now, if you ask a casual fan, they might swear he looks 5'10" because of how he moves in the pocket. If you ask a die-hard Gamecocks fan, they might tell you he’s 6'2" because of the way he carried that offense on his back. Honestly, the 6-foot mark is a bit of a "line in the sand" for NFL scouts. It’s that psychological barrier where a quarterback stops being "short" and starts being "undersized but manageable."
The Tale of the Tape
- Official Height: 6'0" (1.83 m)
- Official Weight: 211 lbs (96 kg)
- Hand Size: 9 7/8 inches
- Arm Length: 31 inches
- Wingspan: 74 3/4 inches
Why does this matter? Well, it’s about the passing lanes.
When you're staring down a 6'6" defensive lineman with a 7-foot wingspan, being 6'0" makes life difficult. You can't always see over the "trash" in the middle of the field. You have to find windows. You have to be mobile. You have to be Spencer Rattler.
The "Short QB" Stigma and the Brees Comparison
You can't talk about a Saints quarterback under 6'2" without mentioning Drew Brees. It’s basically a law in Louisiana.
Brees famously measured in at 6'0" and some change, proving that you don't need to be a skyscraper to win a Super Bowl. But Brees was an outlier. He had this supernatural ability to anticipate windows before they even opened. Rattler has some of that "short king" magic too, but his game is flashier. He relies on a quick release and a weirdly strong arm for a guy his size.
In 2025, we saw this play out in real-time. When Rattler stepped in for the Saints after the injury bug bit the QB room, his height was the first thing the talking heads brought up. "Can he see the middle of the field?" they asked.
The answer? Sorta.
He threw for over 1,500 yards in a handful of starts that year. He wasn't perfect, but he showed that 6'0" is plenty tall if your feet are fast enough. He finished the 2025 season with 8 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Not MVP numbers, but he proved he belongs on an active roster.
Why Hand Size Actually Matters More
Here’s a secret: NFL scouts care way more about Rattler’s hands than his height.
His hands measured 9 7/8 inches. That’s actually quite large for a 6-foot human. For comparison, some quarterbacks who are 6'3" have smaller hands. Big hands mean better ball security and better "flick" on the throw, especially in the rain or cold. It's why he can launch 50-yard bombs while backpedaling.
Height is for the fans. Hand size is for the coaches.
The Reality of 2026: Where Does He Fit?
It’s January 2026, and the landscape for Rattler is shifting. After a 2025 season where he lost the starting job to Tyler Shough mid-way through, the "he’s too small" narrative is resurfacing.
But look at the tape. Rattler's issues haven't really been about seeing over linemen. They’ve been about decision-making under pressure. When the pocket collapses, a 6'5" QB gets hit just as hard as a 6'0" QB.
He’s currently a name being floated in trade rumors. Teams like the Jets or Cardinals—who might be looking for a high-upside backup or a bridge starter—don't care that he's 6'0". They care that he can make every throw on the route tree.
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What’s Next for Rattler?
If you’re following Spencer’s career, keep an eye on these three things:
- The Trade Market: With Tyler Shough looking like the future in New Orleans, Rattler is prime trade bait. A team with a mobile offensive scheme would be a perfect fit.
- The Weight Room: There’s talk about him bulked up to 215 or 220 pounds to handle the hits. At 6'0", you need a little extra "armor."
- The "Homecoming" Rumors: Rumors are swirling about a move back to Arizona. Being the hometown hero might be the spark he needs.
Spencer Rattler isn't going to grow another two inches. He is what he is. A 6-foot playmaker with a massive arm and a chip on his shoulder the size of a Gatorade cooler.
If you're evaluating him for your fantasy roster or just debating his future at a bar, stop looking at the height chart. Look at the release time. Look at the velocity. In the modern NFL, the "short" quarterback isn't a liability anymore—he's just a smaller target to hit.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the Saints' 2026 preseason roster updates in August to see if Rattler is still listed as QB2 or if a trade has finalized.
- Watch his footwork in the pocket; smaller QBs succeed by creating throwing lanes through lateral movement rather than standing tall.
- Follow his official social media for offseason training clips, which often signal if he’s working on specific physical builds for a new system.