How Saints quarterback Jake Haener fared in the starting lineup against the Commanders | Saints

Jake Haener was able to realize a lifelong dream on Sunday afternoon when the sophomore quarterback started behind center for the New Orleans Saints against the Washington Commanders.

The afternoon turned into a nightmare for the Fresno State product.

His first drive ended quickly when he got into a scramble for a loss in the backfield and escaped an official sack. He started his second drive on fire with a first-down hit to Alvin Kamara. The drive eventually ended in a scramble, this time for a win, out of bounds. On the third drive, Haener tried to force a ball to Kamara to avoid another sack, but was intercepted instead.

He finished the first half completing 4 of 10 passes for 49 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception.

At some point in the first half, Saints coach Darren Rizzi could be seen consoling Haener on the bench after another failed drive.

Saints HC Darren Rizzi comforts QB Jake Haener on the bench 🫣 pic.twitter.com/5UyfhxQ2Uh

– Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 15, 2024

Haener’s first start ended quickly as rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler started the second half for New Orleans. Rattler led the Saints into the end zone on his first drive.

According to ESPN, the Saints’ 38 yards rushing in the first half were their fewest since a poor second-half performance against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2002, when Aaron Brooks was QB in New Orleans.