The New Orleans Saints have discovered a resilient competitor in Jake Haener, their backup quarterback, who has displayed extraordinary grit despite facing personal adversity.
Haener, who is in his second year with the team, underwent skin cancer surgery in late July, resulting in 32 stitches on his face.
Despite this challenging obstacle, Haener did not let his health issues hinder his performance during the Saints’ narrow 16-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday.
The young quarterback, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, downplayed the severity of his situation following the game.
“Not bad for a guy with a weak arm,” Haener quipped.
Haener’s resilience is being tested in a competitive battle for the No. 2 quarterback position. He faces strong competition from Spencer Rattler, whom the Saints selected in the fifth round of the same draft.
Both quarterbacks are vying for a spot on the final 53-man roster.
In the preseason opener, Rattler showcased his skills with five drives, including the decisive fourth-quarter drive, completing 9 of 17 passes for 70 yards.
Haener, however, edged him out slightly in the box score, passing 9-13 for 107 yards. A dramatic 37-yard field goal in the final moments of the game clinched the Saints’ two-point victory.
As training camp continues, Haener is not only focused on securing the backup role but is also positioning himself as a potential successor to starting quarterback Derek Carr.
“I’m a competitive dude,” Haener said. “I play my ass off every step of the way, even when I’m getting hit and things are tough, I’m going to bring that energy because my team needs it, right? There needs to be that ‘X’ factor I think when you’re playing quarterback. That’s always how I’ve played, and I’m not going to change.”
Rattler, once a Heisman Trophy favorite in 2021, has faced his own set of challenges.
After transferring from Oklahoma following a loss of his starting position to Caleb Williams, Rattler’s career took a hit, and his performance at South Carolina did not match his earlier promise.
Despite this, Rattler and Head Coach Dennis Allen see potential in all three quarterbacks – Carr, Haener, and Rattler – as each vies for a starting role in the future.
Haener is confident about his chances and sees the competition for the No. 2 spot as a stepping stone toward a future starting role.
“We’re dogging it out for that ‘two’ spot, right?” Haener told Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports. “Both of us really want it bad. We both really want to have that opportunity.
“I don’t like to try to predict the future, but Derek’s getting older. That two spot … it gives you an upward track on having the opportunity one day to potentially have that opportunity to be the starter.”
While Rattler is known for his dynamic, gunslinger approach, Haener’s strengths lie with his intelligence and precision, qualities reminiscent of Saints legend Drew Brees.
“You can spend a late-round pick on a quarterback every year, just rolling the dice,” one NFL executive told Yahoo Sports. “You’re not looking at any of those guys before they [develop] and saying, ‘This guy’s going to be the future.’”
The next test for Haener and the Saints comes on August 18, with a road game against the San Francisco 49ers.
You have to love Haener’s attitude and grit … Do you think he will end up beating our Rattler for the primary backup spot?
To take it a step further, do you think he has what it takes to ultimately take over for Carr as the starter???