Who Should I Start? Jake Haener or Will Howard

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.

Saturday, August 30, 7:59 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Will Howard (hand) told the Pat McAfee Show that he is taking an important step in his recovery from a broken bone in his right hand. "I'm back to throwing this week," Howard said on Friday. "So it's feeling good, going in the right direction." Howard suffered the injury to his throwing hand on Aug. 5, knocking him out for most of training camp and the entire preseason. The Steelers placed Howard on Injured Reserve on Thursday, meaning the sixth-round pick from Ohio State is guaranteed to miss at least the first four weeks of the season. Even if Howard returns in 2025, it's doubtful that the 23-year-old will see much action as a rookie (if any). The Steelers are entering the season with Aaron Rodgers as their starter and an experienced backup in Mason Rudolph, leaving Howard in a developmental role.