ESPN hosts troll Saints QB Jake Haener after promo shots go viral ahead of his first start: 'It's giving slay'

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ESPN commentator Nicole Briscoe did not hold back while trolling Jake Haener's promo shots during Saturday's Sports Center broadcast.

After an unfortunate series of events at the quarterback position, the New Orleans Saints gave the second-year player the starting nod for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders.

Shortly after the announcement, Haener's media day photos went viral on social media as fans pointed out their 'sassy' and 'zesty' characteristics.

In a segment with Michael Eaves, Briscoe went into the photos and poked fun at Haener's model-like poses and facial expressions.

'It's giving slay,' she said after quickly introducing the quarterback. 'It's serving something, I don't know if it's gonna serve a win but it's serving something.'

'Allegedly, Haener hates these pics,' she continued as the viral photos flashed on the screen. 'Hopes to win for a variety of reasons, obviously, but in part so all these gems would go away.'

ESPN's Nicole Brisco and Michael Eaves roasted Saints QB Jake Haener's 'zesty' pictures 

Haener will make his first NFL start as the Saints prepare to host the Commanders on Sunday 

Haener was trolled over his poses and facial expressions from his rookie year photo shoot 

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'If the Saints do win and take down the Commanders, the memes are gonna be epic forever,' Eaves added. 'And I'm here for it.'

Haener's media day pictures drew attention last year but returned to the limelight ahead of his first NFL start.

In May 2023, the NFL Instagram account even posted a video of Haener posing and wrote '@saints rookie QB @jakehaener might have a future in modeling,' with a laughing-crying emoji.

The Saints lost starting quarterback Derek Carr due to a hand injury and had a disappointing stretch of performances from Spencer Rattler. As a result, New Orleans is testing the waters by starting Haener against the Commanders.

Haener, a Fresno State product, was drafted by the Saints with the 127th pick last season. So far this year, he appeared in seven games and completed 14 of 29 attempts for 177 yards and a touchdown.

New Orleans is 5-8, sitting third in the NFC South, and coming off a 14-11 win over the New York Giants.