Giants Sign Ex-Saints Quarterback After Surprise Retirement

August 18, 2026 - 04:01

The New York Giants made a quick move to fill a roster spot this week, bringing in quarterback Jake Haener after a surprising retirement shook up the team's defensive backfield. Veteran cornerback Sam Webb walked away from the game just one day after the Giants' preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings, leaving a vacancy on the 90-man roster.

To address that opening, the Giants turned to Haener, a former Saints draft pick who has spent time in the NFL over the past couple of seasons. The signing was first reported by NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Haener gives the team some extra depth under center as they continue to evaluate their quarterback room during training camp and the preseason schedule.

Haener was originally selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by New Orleans. He saw limited action with the Saints, mostly serving as a backup and learning behind more experienced signal-callers. Now he gets a fresh start with a Giants team that is looking to solidify its roster before the regular season begins.

The move is more about adding a reliable arm for practice and preseason games than a major shakeup to the depth chart. Still, it shows how quickly things can change in the NFL, especially when a player decides to step away unexpectedly. Webb's retirement came as a surprise to many, and the Giants had to act fast to keep their roster at full strength.

With training camp rolling on and the preseason underway, Haener will have a chance to show what he can do in a new system. Whether he sticks around for the long haul remains to be seen, but for now, he is back in the league and ready to work.