Saints bench Haener, turn to Rattler to start second half

By Ross Jackson

NEW ORLEANS – All week the build-up around who will be the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints dominated the news leading up to the game. By Thursday evening it had become apparent that the Saints were turning to second-year quarterback Jake Haener to take the reins. That proved to be the case on Sunday, at least until the second half.

After finishing the first half with only four completed passes, three sacks and an interception, the Saints changed course.

After halftime it was rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, who the club had turned to earlier this season, that took the field as the team’s second half quarterback.

Whether this move was pre-meditated or if this was a true benching for Haener will be answered after the game. But it’s not a great look for the fourth-round draft pick out of Fresno State for now. And if it was pre-meditated, a lot of warranted question marks will swirl around whether or not that was the most effective way to go in preparing for this matchup with the Washington Commanders.

Narratives will certainly be charged after Rattler came in and immediately led a touchdown drive to start the second half. While it was Saints wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. that threw the 21-yard touchdown to running back Alvin Kamara, it was Rattler’s 39-yard connection with wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling that set it all up.

The deep completion from Rattler to Valdes-Scantling picked up more yards in one play (39) than the Saints’ offense had total net yards to finish the first half (38).