This season of the NFL is going to be talked about for a long, long time. Why? Because it’s serving up a tantalizing mix of sports and drama, and we haven’t even kicked off yet. Picture this: teams grappling with jaw-dropping dead cap hits in the millions, iconic NFL legends joining forces with A-listers–it’s a rollercoaster of the good, the bad, and the utterly unexpected. With the season’s kickoff just under 24 hours away, and the mounting pressure on both teams and players? And when the stakes are this high, who’s going to keep their cool, and who’s destined for a season of fumbles? It’s a race for a touchdown in the drama zone!

Brace yourself, folks, because the freshest face in this NFL showdown isn’t a seasoned pro or a gridiron legend–it’s a rookie sensation! This curveball has blindsided even the most die-hard NFL fanatics. A rising star tangled in a web of controversy and speculation, all before he’s had a chance to call an audible in the big league. Who’s this rookie sensation and is he destined for glory or a wild ride down the penalty flag lane? 

Shocking scandal: Saints’ rising star Haener hit with 6-week suspension!

New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Jake Haener has been suspended for six weeks, the league announced on Wednesday. Haener, a fourth-round pick out of Fresno State, received a suspension without pay for his first year in the NFL, even forfeiting $250,000 of his $750,000 base salary for the season. Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the NFL, made the decision after his finding out that he violated its performance-enhancing drug policy.

In a statement provided by NFL Network, Haener said he isn’t sure how the banned substance entered his body. “I recently learned that I tested positive for a substance banned by the NFL earlier this summer,” Haener wrote. “I still do not know how the substance got into my body, as none of my supplements or prescribed medications contain the banned ingredient. I would never knowingly cheat the game that I love, however, I must take full responsibility for the failed test. I apologize to the Saints organization, my friends and my family for any distraction this suspension may cause.”

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“I am disappointed to be away from the team for the coming weeks, but I will learn and grow from this experience. I look forward to returning to the team as soon as possible.” came Haener’s heartfelt apology.

Nevertheless, the shocking turn of events could have massive repercussions for the Saints.

Rookie QB Haener’s nightmare: Saints in crisis mode after NFL bombshell

This announcement comes as a surprise to many fans and players alike as it is extremely rare for quarterbacks to be suspended for violating the performance-enhancing substances policy of the NFL. The last quarterback to face the same fate was Mark Sanchez in 2018. However, the New Orleans Saints will have to work hard to shrug off their tackles as Haener happens to be the second Saints player to be suspended before week 1. Star running back Alvin Kamara will have to miss the first three games of the season after violating the league’s personal conduct policy for his role in a Las Vegas fight in 2022.

As the Saints weigh their quarterback options with Winston and Hill, the plot thickens with the possibility of adding a new signal-caller to their ranks. But the plot thickens; the Saints might just have another trick up their sleeves, as they contemplate signing an additional QB for the practice squad. As for Haener, keep your calendars marked for October 16th, because that’s when he becomes eligible to rejoin the Saints roster, just in time for the Week 7 showdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s a quarterback saga you won’t want to miss!

What do you make of the shocking news? Let us know in the comments section below.

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