Saints backup QB competition still wide open as both players struggle against 49ers

The position battle of the offseason for the New Orleans Saints is the competition for QB2. Derek Carr is the unquestioned starter, but second-year quarterback Jake Haener and rookie Spencer Rattler are battling for the backup job. Unfortunately, both guys recently had a bit of a stumble in this battle.

In a 16-10 preseason loss against the San Francisco 49ers, both Rattler and Haener underwhelmed during their time on the field. Now, New Orleans will enter the final weeks of training camp with the competition still wide open.

Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener struggle in second preseason game

After Haener took second-team reps in the first preseason game, Rattler had the opportunity to go second in Sunday’s game in San Francisco. He finished the game completing 4-of-8 passes for just 27 yards. The rookie was also sacked twice, and lost the football on one of those sacks.

Haener, who came in after Rattler, completed 7-of-13 passes for 76 yards. Both he and Rattler had missed throws, and didn’t play the kind of game needed to gain separation in the tight battle between the two. Haener especially had a great opportunity, because he saw Rattler struggle, and entered the game knowing a strong performance could end the battle. Unfortunately, his performance only left more questions.

In the first preseason game, against the Arizona Cardinals, both guys had solid outings. Haener was 9-of-13 for 107 yards, and Rattler was 9-of-17 for 70 yards, and ran in a touchdown. Through the two games, they have been stride and stride with each other.

The Saints have one more preseason game, a home game against the Tennessee Titans, and the performances in that game could ultimately decide the battle. With the roster being trimmed to 53 players two days after that game, both quarterbacks will likely remain on the regular season roster, but only one will be listed as the second quarterback on the depth chart.

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