Who Should I Start? Jake Haener or Tanner Mordecai

Tuesday, August 26, 11:17 AM

The New Orleans Saints are waiving quarterback Jake Haener, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. A fourth-round pick by New Orleans in 2023, Haener started training camp in competition with Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough for the team's QB1 role. Haener had clearly fallen behind Rattler and Shough in recent weeks, and he will now get a chance to latch on elsewhere. The 26-year-old played in eight games (one start) for the Saints in 2024, completing 18 of 39 pass attempts for 226 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Haener may have an opportunity to sign with another team as a backup, but he's unlikely to be fantasy-relevant in 2025.

Sunday, August 24, 4:37 AM

Quarterback Tanner Mordecai (leg) split time with Carter Bradley (leg) under center in the 49ers' 30-23 win over the Chargers on Saturday. Mordecai didn't get the start but turned in a superior line, going 10-for-13 for 103 yards and a touchdown in his time on the field. The 25-year-old looked solid until he came up limping on a failed QB sneak in the fourth quarter, leading to a turnover on downs on the next play when he struggled to simply complete the handoff to running back Ke'shawn Vaughn. The 49ers are committed to Brock Purdy (to the tune of a $265 million contract signed in May) and brought in Mac Jones to serve as his direct backup. Mordecai, who was waived and re-signed by the Niners twice during the preseason, will be lucky to survive the cuts necessary for the final 53-man roster to take shape.