Jake Haener vs. Spencer Rattler was the biggest fight before the New Orleans Saints’ training camp, and it was hard-fought the whole time.
With Derek Carr sitting out the final game of the preseason, the stage is set for Haener and Rattler to decide who will begin the season second in the standings. For the first time this preseason, both quarterbacks will get equal playing time.
Who starts will tell a story about who is ahead early in the game. The Saints could play both quarterbacks early, but the most likely strategy the Saints will use is to have each player get his own half.
This strategy gives the first quarterback on the field practice against other players who are higher up in the rankings. You could equate that to being higher up in the pecking order. That’s just a sign of the pregame order. That battle is still open.
One thing that isn’t usually discussed is that this preseason isn’t the end of the battle between Haener and Rattler. In 2024, that battle is about Carr’s replacement. But in the long term, it’s about who has the best chance of becoming the Saints’ future franchise quarterback.
If you win the battle, you’ll be one step closer to starting this year. This time next year, we could well see Haener and Rattler back in the mix.
