Saints QB battle heats up on July 30, 2025, as Jake Haener shines. See why Coach Kellen Moore is praising the underdog over Rattler and Shough in camp.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just when you think the Saints' quarterback competition has a clear narrative, a new chapter gets written. On Day 7 of training camp, it was Jake Haener's turn to grab the spotlight, earning significant reps and high praise from Head Coach Kellen Moore for his command and 'big time throws.' The battle for QB1 is far from over; it might just be getting started.
He's an underdog... We saw some big time throws from him today. The communication was at a really, really high level.
While Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough have had their moments, Wednesday belonged to Jake Haener. Head Coach Kellen Moore lauded the third-year QB, highlighting not just his impressive throws but his high-level communication in the huddle. Moore's 'underdog' label for Haener seems to have lit a fire, pushing the entire quarterback room. The sentiment was echoed by the quarterbacks themselves, who stressed that this competition is a marathon, not a sprint. As they put it, 'these competitions aren’t won with one rep.' It’s about stacking good days, and Haener just put a great one on the board.
A new attitude is brewing on the defensive side of the ball. The revamped run defense, a key focus for 2025, is showing its teeth early, led by a massive 6-foot-3, 330-pound nose tackle who is setting a physical tone. On the other side of the line, the Saints are adding reinforcements. The team signed offensive lineman Jonathan Mendoza from Louisville to bolster depth, a move that proved timely. During practice, minor injuries sidelined Welsh, Ridgeway, and Juwan. While Coach Moore indicated none appeared serious, it's a stark reminder of how quickly depth can be tested in the NFL.
On the Saints Podcast, Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas provided insight into the team's commitment to re-establishing a dominant ground attack. He discussed the progress of the running back group and the impact of new additions. The coaching staff is also getting creative, experimenting with tight ends in fullback roles to generate power in the run game, a necessary adaptation with no traditional fullback currently on the roster. It's clear that improving the run game is a team-wide mandate, from the coaching staff to the players executing new schemes.
As the calendar flips to August, the intensity is only ramping up. While the Saints sit atop the NFC South at 0-0, the real tests are just ahead with preseason matchups against Arizona and San Francisco on the horizon. All eyes will remain on the quarterback battle, but the foundation being laid in the trenches on both sides of the ball could be the true key to reclaiming the division crown. One thing is certain: this is a team building a tougher, more competitive identity, one rep at a time.
