New Orleans Saints Cut Former Starting Quarterback Before 2025 Season

When NFL teams have to trim their rosters down to 53 players before the start of each season, some players you don't expect to get cut will usually end up on the outside looking in. For some cases, the teams will immediately pull those tough cuts back to join the franchise's practice squad.

But for some of the cut players, they're going to need a change of scenery if their NFL dreams will continue. For a recently released Saint, he's going to get a chance to remain with the franchise.

New Orleans Saints' Roster Cuts Include Quarterback Jake Haener

Yes, Jake Haener was a starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. He started the team's Week 15 game last season against the Washington Commanders. In his first start, he went 4 of 10 from just 49 yards and an interception. At halftime, the Saints switched to quarterback Spender Rattler, who nearly brought the team back, but ended up losing 20 to 19.

This week, Haener was informed that he was being cut from the team. But the franchise wanted to bring him back to the practice squad as soon as he cleared waivers. Which he did, and so now he's going to be part of the Saints organization once again.

The Saints also added quarterback Hunter Dekkers to the practice squad this week, giving the team two quarterbacks on their extra squad.

New Orleans Saints Quarterback Competition

This is just another shocking twist for the Saints quarterback room over the last 12 months. First there was Derek Carr's surprise retirement. Then, the Saints took a draft pick older than their 2nd year quarterback when they selected Tyler Shough in the second round of the NFL Draft.

It's worth sitting on the Shough pick for a second, because this was the highest the organization drafted a quarterback since Archie Manning was selected. All for Shough to come into a quarterback room where he's going to be the old man, when he's the rookie.

But along with the cuts this week, the Saints announced that Shough would not be the team's starting quarterback to start this season. That job will go to Spender Rattler, who did start a handful of games for the Saints last year. But Rattler was winless in his games during his rookie year.

The Saints have a plan (we think) that they're putting in place. It's either that they know something we don't about this roster...or they're tanking for a top draft pick. Either way, it is a plan.