Haener started Sunday's 30-27 preseason loss to the Titans and completed eight of 17 passes for 87 yards, without a touchdown or interception. He added one rushing attempt for six yards.
Haener and Spencer Rattler alternated two-possession chunks under center, but Rattler led three touchdown drives and got points on all four of his possessions, while the Saints sputtered to just three points on Haener's six drives. Any slim lead Haener had in the competition to begin the regular season as Derek Carr's top backup could have evaporated with this poor performance, but it's possible the Saints will opt to keep the 2023 fourth-round draft pick on their 53-man roster, even if the rookie fifth-round pick Rattler now may be the favorite to occupy the second spot on the quarterback depth chart for the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Panthers.