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Spencer Rattler outshines Jake Haener in QB battle during Saints preseason finale

With the preseason over for the New Orleans Saints, rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler is hoping to win the backup QB battle after a strong performance.

By Jaleel Grandberry

Aug 25, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) reacts to passing a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 25, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) reacts to passing a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Entering Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans, the preseason finale for the New Orleans Saints, the team’s backup quarterback competition was still wide open. Second-year QB Jake Haener and rookie Spencer Rattler had been stride and stride with each other. In the first preseason game they both played well, and in the second, they both struggled.

This third preseason game had the potential to be a tiebreaker, with New Orleans having to cut its roster down to 53 players on Tuesday. While both guys will likely make the regular-season roster, Sunday’s action probably decided the order of the depth chart. If it did, Spencer Rattler should be QB2 in New Orleans.

Spencer Rattler has the upper hand in backup QB battler after preseason loss to Titans

Derek Carr didn’t play this game, so Haener and Rattler took all the quarterback snaps. Haener started the game, but the two young quarterbacks rotated throughout, playing two series at a time. While neither played poorly, Rattler definitely had the better game.

The rookie finished the action completing 7-of-13 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. He had the highlight of the day, delivering a beautiful 21-yard touchdown pass to Equanimeous St. Brown. Rattler also completed a 43-yard pass to A.T. Perry.

Haener, on the other hand, completed 8-of-17 passes for 87 yards. He also fumbled when sacked, but the ball was fortunately recovered by a Saints offensive lineman.

It’s important to note the stat sheet doesn’t tell the story, as both quarterbacks were affected by dropped passes. Taking those drops into account, it was still clear Rattler had the better game. That leads fans to believe he won the backup role.

However, Saints coaches have way more than just three preseason games to make the decision. New Orleans’ decision-makers see the players in practice and meetings everyday, so it’s still not entirely clear who the winner is. The rookie Spencer Rattler did show up and deliver on Sunday, though.

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