By Ross Jackson
The NFL is a strange place sometimes. No one wants to celebrate a player getting hurt or managing an injury. But with injuries do come opportunities for players to battle for a role, roster spot, contract or simply an opportunity. That is the sort of situation that New Orleans Saints quarterback Hunter Dekkers now faces.
During the Saints’ second OTA practice, third-year passer Jake Haener suffered an oblique strain that now threatens to sideline him for the remainder of the OTA phase. The good news for Haener is that all signs are pointing toward him returning in time for training camp. No decisions are going to be made during this portion of the offseason. Haener should be able to safely continue his fight to become the starter when he returns.
What this provides for Dekkers, however, is an increased opportunity to prove that he deserves a roster spot. The Saints signed the former Iowa Western quarterback after he impressed at rookie minicamp. That’s a solid nod for the player to be signed by the team’s new coaching staff.
Should Haener not win the starting role, a role that’s expected to be awarded to either rookie Tyelr Shough or second-year passer Spencer Rattler, then the battle for the third roster spot begins.
Dekkers would be at a severe disadvantage against Haener, with the former Fresno State passer’s two years of previous NFL experience. But now, Dekkers will get a bit of a head start in operating head coach Kellen Moore’s new system throughout OTAs while Haener is sidelined.
Looking for a sleeper QB prospect in this draft class?
Hunter Dekkers (Ex-Iowa St) is a strong-armed lefty with legit draftable love around the league.
He led Iowa Western CC to the JUCO National Title Game tonight (and already has 2 TD tosses). pic.twitter.com/ZNIwTvKPeS
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) December 19, 2024
This will allow Dekkers a chance to close the gap that would otherwise be there. That makes the potential battle between him and Haener, should the starter situation unfold as expected, a lot more manageable for a passer in his position.
This is a major opportunity for Dekkers, who could play himself into a role in New Orleans, even if as the emergency third quarterback.
Dekkers was outstanding with Iowa Western last year. He threw for 3,806 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions, all while completing 64.1% of his passes.
