ESPN REPORT: Saints Name Jake Haener Starter Over Tyler Shough: New Orleans picks Jake Haener as 2025 starting QB over rookie Tyler Shough Following….
New Orleans, June 2025 – The Saints have officially named Jake Haener their starting quarterback for the 2025 season, outperforming both rookie Tyler Shough and second-year QB Spencer Rattler. The decision comes following the retirement of veteran Derek Carr in May and after a competitive quarterback battle during the offseason.
The QB Room & How We Got Here
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- Tyler Shough
. - Spencer Rattler
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Why Haener Came Out on Top
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- Health & Availability
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The Competition, Ended (For Now)
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Comparing the Trio
| Quarterback | Years in NFL | Key Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Jake Haener | 2nd season | Quick release, familiarity with Saints system, Week 15 starting experience. |
| Tyler Shough | Rookie (2025) | Strong arm, athletic, noted for deep-ball accuracy, but needs progress under pressure. |
| Spencer Rattler | 2nd season | Solid passing yards in 2024, but struggled with sacks and turnovers under pressure. |
What It Means for 2025
- Offense Stability. Haener brings continuity: he knows the playbook, has demonstrated some competence last season, and his off-season health gives the Saints a steady option under center.
- Rookie Development. Shough remains in the fold and could still see reps in preseason. The organization invested a high draft pick in him and will seek to develop him further.
- Savvy Risk Management. Coach Moore and the front office clearly favored performance under pressure and execution over draft status. Haener’s quick-read abilities likely earned Moore’s confidence.
Looking Ahead
Haener will enter training camp as QB1, but Shough and Rattler remain in a close chase. With rookie minicamps and OTAs behind them, the key tests are camp practices and preseason games.
If Haener remains steady, the Saints could enjoy a surprisingly smooth transition post-Carr. But if Shough or Rattler overtake him, the QB carousel may continue — perhaps even suggesting a quarterback run in the 2026 draft.
Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of preseason schedules, QB stats, or what this means for fantasy football rosters!
