The New Orleans Saints knew that 2021 would be a challenging one for the quarterback position.
Filling future Hall of Famer Drew Brees‘ shoes after his long and legendary career was never expected to be easy.
However, the Saints could not have anticipated how many quarterbacks they would need to attempt to make a playoff run in 2021.
In Week 16, the Saints are enlisting the help of their fourth quarterback this year.
Injury and COVID-19 have limited the availability of the previous three: Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, and Trevor Siemian.
The door is now opened for rookie quarterback Ian Book who will make his NFL debut on Monday Night Football against the surging Miami Dolphins who have won six straight games.
The #Saints are starting Ian Book this weekend, per me and @TomPelissero. With Trevor Siemian out, Taysom Hill is going on the COVID-19 reserve list.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 23, 2021
Each of the Saints quarterbacks has reached out to Book to offer him encouragement which he sincerely appreciated.
Ian Book on the support he has received from the other #Saints QBs pic.twitter.com/tRLTIgFRdN
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 24, 2021
Who Is Ian Book?
If his name is familiar but you cannot figure out why, it is because he was one of the quarterbacks drafted in the 2021 NFL Draft.
He was not one of the headliners who went in the first round.
Book went in the fourth round at No. 133 overall.
He has been inactive so far this season, but he has been studying Sean Payton‘s offense closely so he feels confident and familiar.
Book played at Notre Dame.
He graduated as the winningest quarterback in Notre Dame history with 30, and his 72 career touchdown passes is second highest in school history.
His Week 16 Start Is Special
Obviously, a player’s first NFL start is special regardless of the circumstances.
However, Book is excited that his family including his brother who recently completed basic training in Fort Benning, Georgia will be at the game.
Book’s former coach, ex Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, will also be there.
Ian Book says his college coach, new @LSUfootball coach @CoachBrianKelly, texted him support this morning and said he will be at the game Monday night ⚜️ pic.twitter.com/pZFrEcR3h3
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 24, 2021
Kelly recently left the Notre Dame program to coach at LSU.
Meeting A Hot Dolphins Team
Though the Saints are coming off a big win on the road over the Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Dolphins have been on a tear.
The team has rallied for six straight wins.
Halloween was the last time the Dolphins lost in Buffalo.
Both the Saints and Dolphins are 7-7 so this is a good matchup.
In Book’s Words
Book appears ready for the moment.
He knows that either Hill or Siemian could test out and be available for Monday night, but he is preparing as if the start is automatically his.
“It’s an unbelievable opportunity. I don’t know what it’s going to feel like. I’ve played in big games, but I think this is the biggest, obviously. We’re professionals now and this is Monday Night Football.”
“I’m planning on playing. You can’t just flip that switch on Monday morning, trying to get ready. It doesn’t work like that, especially at the quarterback position.”
Sean Payton on rookie QB Ian Book: pic.twitter.com/9BgMVEnqWB
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 24, 2021
Sean Payton is confident in Book and stresses that it is the job of the coaching staff to call the right plays for him in game situations.
Watch the Saints host the Dolphins on Monday Night Football at 8:15 PM EST on December 27.
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