Jake Haener Bio
Jake Haener (born March 10, 1999) is an American professional football quarterback who has been a member of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington Huskies and the Fresno State Bulldogs before entering the professional ranks. Haener was selected by the Saints in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft and has served the organization in both starting and reserve roles.
Early Life and Background
Jake Haener was born on March 10, 1999, in Danville, California. He grew up in the East Bay region of Northern California and attended Monte Vista High School, where he developed into one of the most productive passers in school history. His mother, Julie Haener, is a well-known television journalist who served as a long-time anchor at KTVU-TV in Oakland from 1997 to 2024 and previously worked as an anchor in Fresno in the early 1990s, giving the family ties to both Northern and Central California communities.
During his high school career at Monte Vista, Haener established himself as a record-setting quarterback, throwing for 8,464 yards and a school-record 90 touchdowns. His prolific production drew attention from college recruiters across the country. Following his senior season, Haener committed to the University of Washington to continue his football career at the Pac-12 level.
Path to American Football
Haener’s path to professional football began on the West Coast, where his high school success at Monte Vista positioned him as a top collegiate recruit. His commitment to the University of Washington offered an early opportunity to compete in a Power Five conference. After spending time developing with the Huskies program, Haener transferred to California State University, Fresno, where he would emerge as a full-time starter and a record-setting passer in the Mountain West Conference.
Through his high school production and his time at both Washington and Fresno State, Haener built the resume that would eventually lead to his selection in the 2023 NFL draft. His progression from a record-setting high school quarterback to a multi-year college starter illustrated steady development at each level of the game.
Jake Haener Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
After redshirting his first year at Washington in 2017, Haener appeared in four games as a backup to Jake Browning during the 2018 season. In limited action, he completed 9 of 13 passes for 107 yards, recording one touchdown and one interception while learning the speed and complexity of the college game. The experience behind Browning provided valuable preparation for a larger role.
In 2019, Haener transferred to California State University, Fresno, seeking a clearer path to playing time. He sat out his first season with the Bulldogs due to NCAA transfer rules, using the year to study the offense and adjust to a new program. The patience paid off when he was named the starting quarterback entering the 2020 season.
Fresno State Breakthrough (2020–2022)
Haener became the starter at Fresno State in 2020, playing a shortened six-game season. He completed 150 of 232 passes for 2,021 yards, 14 touchdowns, and five interceptions, immediately showing he could handle a full starting workload. His production earned him recognition within the Mountain West Conference and helped reset the offensive direction of the Bulldogs program.
He remained the starter in 2021 and earned Second-team All-Mountain West honors for his performance that season. On November 30, 2021, Haener briefly entered the NCAA transfer portal to explore other options, but he withdrew on December 8 and returned to Fresno State, reaffirming his commitment to the Bulldogs. In 2022, he was recognized as First-team All-Mountain West, capping his Fresno State tenure as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in program history.
New Orleans Saints Era (2023–Present)
Haener was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round, 127th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. He made the initial opening roster for the Saints to start the 2023 season, but in early September it was revealed he had failed a drug test earlier that summer, testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance. Haener was suspended for the first six weeks of the season, issuing a statement that he did not know how the substance had entered his body while still taking full responsibility for the failed test.
Haener began the 2024 campaign as the backup quarterback behind Derek Carr. In Week 7 against the Denver Broncos, he relieved Spencer Rattler on the final drive of the game and recorded his first career touchdown on a 12-yard pass to Cedrick Wilson Jr. After Carr suffered a hand fracture in Week 14, the Saints named Haener their starting quarterback, and he held the role into late 2024.
The Saints waived Haener on August 26, 2025, after Rattler was named the starter to begin the 2025 season. He was signed to the practice squad the next day, then promoted to the active roster on September 2, only to be waived four days later. On September 9, Haener was re-signed to New Orleans’ practice squad for a second time, where he continued to contribute to the organization.
Notable Events and Milestones
Haener’s first career NFL touchdown pass to Cedrick Wilson Jr. in Week 7 of the 2024 season marked a memorable early milestone. His transition from fourth-round draft pick to starting quarterback following Derek Carr’s injury highlighted the trust the Saints coaching staff placed in his preparation. On July 26, 2024, Haener announced publicly that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer, sharing the news with supporters and the broader football community.
Jake Haener Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jake Haener comes from a family with a strong background in California broadcasting. His mother, Julie Haener, is a long-time television journalist who served as an anchor at KTVU-TV in Oakland from 1997 to 2024, and she was also an anchor in Fresno in the early 1990s. The family’s California roots span both the San Francisco Bay Area and the Central Valley, mirroring the regions where Jake himself grew up and later starred in college football.
Personal Life
Haener is the son of Julie Haener, and he grew up in Danville, California, before attending Monte Vista High School. He has shared publicly his July 2024 diagnosis of skin cancer, using the announcement to raise awareness about the disease. Information about a spouse, partner, or children has not been publicly confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Haener’s 2025 season with the New Orleans Saints began with roster movement rather than a defined starting role. The Saints waived him on August 26, 2025, after naming Spencer Rattler the starter to begin the season, signaling a crowded depth chart at quarterback. Haener was quickly signed to the practice squad the next day, keeping him within the organization.
His status shifted again on September 2, when he was signed to the active roster, only to be waived four days later. On September 9, Haener was re-signed to the New Orleans practice squad for a second time, illustrating the fluid nature of his role within the team. Throughout these moves, Haener remained a familiar presence in the Saints’ quarterback room.
With Derek Carr’s return and Rattler established as the starter, Haener’s path to regular-season snaps in 2025 appeared limited, though his experience and familiarity with the offensive system kept him in the conversation. His focus remained on contributing wherever the Saints needed him, whether on the practice squad or in relief appearances, while continuing to develop as a professional quarterback.