The fantastic book story: How did Ian Book became the Saints' starting QB?

Stories of replacement quarterbacks taking the place of the starter in the NFL are relatively common, more so during this latest COVID-19 flare-up, however, that of rookie Ian Book of the New Orleans Saints is extremely unique.

Following the retirement last year of already legendary passer Drew Brees, the Saints gave the starting job to Jameis Winston who was Brees' first replacement in 2020 and during the 2021 Draft selected Book in the fourth round (pick #133 overall) out of the prestigious University of Notre Dame.

From 4th-team QB to MNF debut

Book came in as Winston's third replacement to the "Jazz City" and found himself below Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian on the team's depht chart.

Winston was injured last October 31 in the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will not return for the remainder of the season and this Thursday both Hill and Siemian tested positive for COVID-19 so it is highly likely they will not play in the vital Monday Night Football game at home on December 27 againts the Miami Dolphins to close out NFL Week 16.

That leaves Book as the one destined to open and make his NFL debut in a game where the Saints are playing for much of their future in pursuit of a playoff berth.

Saints fighting for a playoff spot

Currently, New Orleans is out of playoff zone but only on a tiebreaker against the Minnesota Vikings as they have the same 7-7 record that they reached after an impressive defensive performance that blanked Tom Brady and the defending champion Bucs by a score of 9-0.

Book is accustomed to pressure at the collegiate level, as he is the winningest quarterback in the history of the lauded Fighting Irish.

During his final season in South Bend, Book completed 64.6% of his passes and made the third-best team in the ACC Conference.

If it helps to have more wins at Notre Dame than the famed Joe Montana, this is Ian Book's chance to prove it.

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