New Orleans Saints re-sign rookie quarterback Hunter Dekkers one week after cutting him
The Saints added a fourth quarterback to their roster just days before their first preseason game. And he's a familiar presence in New Orleans:
After less than a week, quarterback Hunter Dekkers is back with the NFL team that originally signed him, the New Orleans Saints. Dekkers was released by New Orleans on July 31 to make roster room to sign punter Kai Kroeger. On Wednesday, the Saints re-signed Dekkers. To make room, New Orleans released incumbent punter Matthew Hayball in a surprise move.
An undrafted rookie, Dekkers was signed by New Orleans following a post-draft tryout at rookie minicamp and was with the team through OTA sessions and minicamp. Dekkers, 24, played last season at Iowa Western Community College before declaring for the draft. He began his collegiate career with the Iowa State Cyclones in 2020. Dekkers was the backup to current San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy for his first two years, completing 25 of 43 passes for 311 yards with 3 touchdowns and an interception.
Dekkers was named the starter for the Cyclones in 2022 and completed 66.1% of his throws for 3,044 yards with 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Dekkers led the Big 12 in completions, attempts, and completion percentage but also interceptions thrown that season. His passing yardage and touchdowns thrown were third in the conference. But during the 2023 offseason, Dekkers stepped away from college football for a year after being indicted on sports gambling charges. He returned to action with Iowa Western Community College last season in the National Junior College Athletic Association.
And he was too talented for that level of competition: Dekkers had a 64.1% completion percentage for 3,806 yards with 32 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions while leading the Reivers to an 11-2 record. With the Saints, he'll rejoin a quarterback competition that includes Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and rookie second round choice Tyler Shough. It remains to be seen how many opportunities he'll get behind that trio, but the Saints clearly have an interest in developing him. New Orleans opens their preseason on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday afternoon.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints re-sign rookie QB Hunter Dekkers one week after cutting him
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