Saints make 2 needlessly dumb decisions with initial depth chart

The New Orleans Saints have often provided masterclasses in taking the simple and making it unnecessarily complex. Head coach Dennis Allen counts this among his specialties, as has been proven by an unusual and unsatisfying initial depth chart.

On the offensive side of things, Allen declined to name an official backup quarterback behind Derek Carr, with both Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler getting equal billing as QB2. Allen did say they will name a backup before the game, even after this initial bit of gamesmanship that will not help the team one iota.

On defense, Chase Young is apparently not a lock to start despite signing a contract this offseason, as both he and Carl Granderson were listed as co-starters alongside veteran Cameron Jordan. It's a mystery who Allen thinks he is fooling here, as the Carolina Panthers are likely not going to be shaken by this.

Saints don't name backup QB, starting EDGE on initial depth chart

Haener was a fourth-round pick, and Rattler was a fifth-rounder. Both struggled with accuracy in the preseason, but Rattler led the team to more scoring drives and was the only Saints QB to throw a touchdown pass. Haener has more accuracy, but the arm talent Rattler has is clearly superior.

If Allen wants to make the more experienced Haener the backup and deactivate Rattler on game days, that is his prerogative. However, this stunt makes it seem like he's still very much deciding which quarterback to start, which is disingenuous.

On the defensive side, Granderson is coming off a fairly solid season in 2023. However, the team invested in Young with the thought he would be a high-end pass rusher who was once a Defensive Rookie of the Year. Did Young really get $13 million this season to be a rotational rusher behind Granderson?

Allen is on his last legs in New Orleans, and the fact he is operating with so much vagueness around such a very basic issue is just unusual. Just a few days before his make-or-break season begins, Allen can't even pick a winner between Haener and Rattler.