Darren Rizzi still has love for Jake Haener even though he gave him the hook in favor of Spencer Rattler on Sunday. The New Orleans Saints’ interim head coach gently caressed his head after the benching.
It was equally as sweet of a gesture as it was weird and belittling.
Haener, 25, made the first start of his NFL career against the Washington Commanders. Rizzi was forced to make a decision at quarterback after an injury to Derek Carr relegated the veteran to the sideline. His options were limited to a fourth-round draft pick in 2023 and a fifth-round draft pick in 2024.
Rattler, the rookie, started three games for New Orleans earlier this season and lost all three. Haener also saw limited action in two of those three games but did not play at all during his rookie year and never started.
Darren Rizzi ultimately went with the former over the latter. The decision did not work in his favor. Haener completed only four of his 10 pass attempts for 49 yards during a scoreless first half. He also threw a bad pick.
🥶🥶🥶 @MikeSainristil #ProBowlVote
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 15, 2024
📺 #WASvsNO FOX pic.twitter.com/9hBdgx0c4s
Rizzi made a change at halftime as a result of the struggles and went back to Rattler. Even though the interim head coach pulled Haener out of the game, he wanted his benched quarterback to keep his head up. That led to the aforementioned caress. It was somewhere between a rub and a scratch.
— wow that was crazy (@CowardlyDoggo) December 15, 2024
The decision to bench Jake Haener for Spencer Rattler did not provide much of a spark. The Saints did score their first touchdown of the game through the air, but it was actually wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. who threw the pass. Ironic, isn’t it?
Cedrick Wilson Jr. to Alvin Kamara for a 21-yd TD 🤯#WASvsNO | 📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/e76ZpEQmri
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 15, 2024
By all accounts, Darren Rizzi is a great motivator and his players love to play for him. The head scratch was a new one.