I read a post on X (twitter) yesterday that really surprised me. Someone suggested that the coaches started Rattler over Haener knowing Rattler would bomb out because they did not want a QB controversy to occur again like what transitioned with Winston, OR, they did not want to destroy Haener's confidence putting him in position to fail.
That really blew my mind. Mostly because I never once suspected either. Second, because we all know starting Rattler as a rookie behind an Oline with injuries is setting him up for failure, and destroying a young QB's confidence early can do a lot of damage to their progress.
Either way, it would mean the organization/coaches believe Haener has a better future.
The main reason I give credence to that post, was because no coach in their right mind would ever start a 5th round rookie QB, on an offense that has been in turmoil, with injuries on Oline, and injured starting WR's, and think he has any capability what so ever of turning the offense around. I if you were to ask me the definition of setting a rookie QB in the NFL up to fail, that would be it.