Haener started Sunday's 30-27 preseason loss to the Titans and completed eight of 17 passes for 87 yards, without a touchdown or interception. He added one rushing attempt for six yards. Haener and Spencer Rattler alternated two-possession chunks under center, but Rattler led three touchdown drives and got points on all four of his four possessions, while the Saints sputtered to just three points on Haener's six drives. Any slim lead Haener had in the competition to begin the regular season as Derek Carr's top backup likely evaporated with this poor performance, but it's possible the Saints will opt to keep the 2023 fourth-round draft pick on their 53-man roster, even if the rookie fifth-round pick Rattler now looks like the favorite to occupy the second spot on the quarterback depth chart for the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Panthers.
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Haener started Sunday's 30-27 preseason loss to the Titans and completed eight of 17 passes for 87 yards, without a touchdown or interception. He added one rushing attempt for six yards. Haener and Spencer Rattler alternated two-possession chunks under center, but Rattler led three touchdown drives and got points on all four of his four possessions, while the Saints sputtered to just three points on Haener's six drives. Any slim lead Haener had in the competition to begin the regular season as Derek Carr's top backup likely evaporated with this poor performance, but it's possible the Saints will opt to keep the 2023 fourth-round draft pick on their 53-man roster, even if the rookie fifth-round pick Rattler now looks like the favorite to occupy the second spot on the quarterback depth chart for the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Panthers.
Haener completed seven of 13 passes for 76 yards during Sunday's 16-10 preseason loss to the 49ers. He also logged one rush for two yards. Haener was the first Saints' quarterback to follow starter Derek Carr during the team's preseason opener, but he flipped spots with rookie Spencer Rattler on Sunday. However, neither quarterback performed particularly well, as both failed to lead a touchdown drive against the 49ers. They also both played exactly 24 offensive snaps. With the competition for the No. 2 quarterback spot apparently at a dead heat, it's likely that New Orleans' final decision on this job could come down to the coming week's practices followed by the preseason finale against Tennessee on Sunday, Aug. 25.
Haener completed nine of 13 passes for 107 yards during Saturday's 16-14 preseason win against the Cardinals. He also rushed once for three yards. Haener relieved starting quarterback Derek Carr after he and the rest of the team's first-team offense came out of the game following their second offensive series. While the 25-year-old backup did not score himself, he did lead back-to-back field-goal drives in the second quarter. This included the biggest highlight of the game when he heaved a 58-yard pass down the left sideline for second-year wideout A.T. Perry, setting up kicker Blake Grupe for a 33-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. He then turned the reins over to rookie signal-caller Spencer Rattler for the second half. These two will continue to compete for the No.2 quarterback job heading into New Orleans' second preseason game at San Francisco on Sunday.
Haener participated fully in practice Wednesday, Todd Graffagnini of the Saints' official site reports. Haener missed Monday's session as he was slated to undergo a procedure to remove a cancerous growth on his right cheek. After Tuesday's scheduled off day, Haener resumed practicing with his teammates Wednesday and once again is in line to continue competing with Spencer Rattler for backup slotting behind top QB Derek Carr.
Haener, who developed a rare form of skin cancer on his facial area, will have a procedure Monday to address the issue, Luke Loffredo of the USA Today reports. The reports notes that Haener is expected back at practice Wednesday, following the Saints' off day on Tuesday. Once the 2023 fourth-rounder returns to the field, he and fifth-round draft pick Spencer Rattler are in line to compete for backup slotting behind top QB Derek Carr.
Haener revealed Friday that he has a rare form of skin cancer on his face and will have an evaluation Thursday to determine his treatment plan moving forward, Mike Triplett of New Orleans.Football reports. Haener added that the condition isn't believed to be life-threatening, but he is still determining whether to put off treatment. If Haener opts to put off treatment, he would likely continue to compete against rookie fifth-round draft pick Spencer Rattler for the backup quarterback job behind Derek Carr throughout training camp and the preseason.
Haener appears to be the early frontrunner to serve as the QB2 for the Saints this offseason, John Hendrix of Sports Illustrated reports. Haener was suspended for the first six games of his 2023 campaign and has yet to make his NFL debut. However, the 6-foot-1 signal-caller should have a chance to establish himself as QB2 after New Orleans made several changes at the quarterback position this offseason. Last year's No. 2 QB Jameis Winston signed with the Colts in March. Meanwhile, the Saints signed veteran backup Nathan Peterman and fourth-year pro Kellen Mond this offseason before selecting Spencer Rattler in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Carr is still clearly set as the starter, but the competition to be his primary reserve figures to be wide open this offseason. Haener's experience within the Saints' quarterback room should give him an immediate leg up on Peterman, Mond and Rattler. The 33-year-old Taysom Hill also is listed as a quarterback by the Saints, but he's better described as a multi-use player who regularly slots in at positions across the offense and special teams. It's highly unlikely that the team will carry more than three quarterbacks on the active roster during the 2024 campaign. Therefore, it will be worth monitoring how this competition shapes up during offseason workouts and training camp while projecting this QB depth chart.