Jake Haener getting a real shot in Saints' 'three-man race' at quarterback

The New Orleans Saints' quarterback competition isn't a two-man race. It's a trio tilt.

Whenever Kellen Moore is asked about the QB battle being between rookie Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler, the new coach is quick to add that Jake Haener will get an equal shot to win the gig.

"We feel good about letting all these guys go for it," Moore said this week, via the New Orleans Advocate.

True to his word, Moore has shuffled the first-team reps early in training camp. Haener took more first-team reps in the team period on Friday than the other two QBs, per reporters on the scene.

Haener has been mostly an afterthought in discussions regarding the Saints' starting gig. Part of that dismissal is the preconceived notion that the job is Shough's to lose after New Orleans plucked him in the second round.

The other aspect is how rough Haener's one start last year went. The 2023 fourth-rounder started Week 15 against the Washington Commanders last year, completing four of 10 passes for 49 yards with an interception before being benched at halftime in favor of Rattler. Haener looked overmatched in that one half of football.

Despite that dismal outing, Haener said Moore's crew is giving him a fair shot to win the starting gig.

"If I've learned one thing about this league, this league does not care about your feelings," he said. "It doesn't care about who you are, what you do. And it's all about what you've done for me lately. And I believe this organization -- respect them, they drafted me -- if they didn't truly believe I could be a guy that they think couldn't win the starting job, they wouldn't include me in it. Simple as that. They wouldn't make me feel good about myself.

"I totally see it as a three-man race. I think I've earned that right."

At this point in the roster rebuild, Moore is right to check out all three quarterbacks. Odds still favor Shough getting the Week 1 gig, but it's no sure thing. Haener and Rattler will each be given a shot during camp and the preseason to steal it away.