The New Orleans Saints are entering the 2026 campaign with some optimism surrounding the quarterback position. That’s because, after a strong showing to close the 2025 season, the team believes that Tyler Shough can become their quarterback of the future after they selected him in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Shough is the latest player New Orleans has drafted in an attempt to replace Drew Brees under center, and while it’s still early, there’s reason to believe he’s the team’s long-term answer under center. One guy who can before Shough at the quarterback position for the Saints was Jake Haener, and while he’s no longer with the team, he recently received some tough news regarding his NFL career.
Jake Haener Gets Released by the Chiefs
We have waived QB Jake Haener, DE Ethan Hurkett, and DT Zacch Pickens.
Haener was selected by the Saints in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft to operate as an extra layer of depth behind Derek Carr, who was the team’s starter at the time. In 2024, though Haener ended up suiting up for eight games (one start) as Carr was forced to miss seven games throughout the year. However, his numbers during his brief stint on the field weren’t great (18/39, 226 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT).
With Shough and Spencer Rattler duking it out for the starting quarterback role, Haener returned to his spot as the No. 3 option on N.O.’s depth chart in 2025. After the season wrapped up, the Kansas City Chiefs swooped in and signed Haener to a reserve/future contract, as they wanted an extra layer of depth at this spot in the wake of Patrick Mahomes’ ACL tear.
The Chiefs have continued to add to the quarterback position this offseason, though, as they picked up Justin Fields in a trade with the New York Jets and selected Garrett Nussmeier in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft. With these two guys in town, that left Haener without a roster spot, as he was officially released by Kansas City on Monday.
“We have signed Free Agents WR Xavier Loyd, DB Marlen Sewell, T Kahlil Benson. We have waived QB Jake Haener, DE Ethan Hurkett, and DT Zacch Pickens,” the Chiefs announced in a post on X.
Should the Saints Reunite with Jake Haener?
GettyEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 08: Jake Haener #3 of the New Orleans Saints in action during the game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on December 08, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
After drafting Nussmeier, the Chiefs simply didn’t have a need for Haener anymore, so it’s not much of a surprise to see that he got cut. It’s fair to wonder what the next move in his career will be, especially since he hasn’t done much to prove he can be a starting-caliber option in the NFL. At this point, his most logical option may be returning to the Saints, if they were interested, of course.
New Orleans has Shough and Rattler leading their depth chart, and they also signed former first-round pick Zach Wilson to come in and be the No. 3 option behind them. Adding Haener isn’t a true necessity at this point in the offseason, but if the Saints want another quarterback to throw into the mix during their offseason program and training camp, Haener could be a sensible option to bring back to town.
Former Saints QB Jake Haener Gets Disappointing Career Update