Quarterback Ian Book was a fourth-round selection of the New Orleans Saints in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. He was the ninth quarterback chosen that year, taken with the 133rd overall pick.
A three-year starter for the Fighting Irish, Book also started two games during the 2017 season. His record as a starter was 30-3, the second best winning percentage in the school's storied history.
Over his career at Notre Dame, Book had a 63.8% completion percentage while throwing for 8,948 yards with 72 touchdowns, 20 interceptions, and 17 additional scores as a runner. He'd guide the Fighting Irish to two appearances in the College Football Playoff Semifinal, losing to the eventual National Champion each time.
Ian Book - Saints
Book was viewed as a developmental prospect for the Saints as a rookie, certainly not expecting to see the field for any significant action. Injuries, ineffective play, and a pandemic ultimately changed those plans.
New Orleans starter Jameis Winston was lost for the year in Week 8 with a knee injury. Veteran journeyman Trevor Siemian took over starting duties for the next four games, going 0-4 with mixed results.
Siemian gave way to versatile weapon Taysom Hill in Week 12. Hill added a different dimension to the Saints offense as the team went 2-1 with him behind center to claw back into playoff contention. He also started the last two games of the year in Weeks 17 and 18, with the Saints winning both contests.
Hill was slated to start the Saints Week 16 Monday night home game against the Miami Dolphins. However, Hill was prohibited from playing because of a positive Covid test and the restrictions that the NFL had in place during the pandemic.
Also ruled out for the same reasons was Siemian, meaning that rookie Ian Book would see his first NFL action with just two full days of practice. Additionally, the Saints would be without 21 starters or major contributors because of Covid or injury when they faced the Dolphins in front of a prime-time audience.
The inexperienced Book took on Miami with a skeleton crew of contributors barely worthy of preseason competition. New Orleans hung in early, trailing only 10-3 at halftime. Ultimately, they'd fall to the Dolphins by a 20-3 score despite giving up only 259 total yards defensively.
Ian Book was understandably overwhelmed. He completed 12 of his 20 throws on the night for only 135 yards while throwing two interceptions. The first of those interceptions was returned for an opening quarter touchdown for the game's first score.
Book was also sacked eight times by the Miami defense, who harassed him mercilessly with 12 QB hits and 21 pressures. New Orleans managed only 164 yards of total offense and 10 first downs while converting none of their 12 third down chances.
Starting four different quarterbacks during the 2021-22 campaign, the Saints finished with a 9-8 record. However, they missed the postseason by one game, coming up short because of tiebreakers.
Book's Post-Saints Career
After spending the 2022 preseason and training camp with New Orleans, Book was waived by the team among their final cuts before the regular season. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles the following day.
Book spent the 2022-23 season on either Philadelphia's practice squad or as their emergency quarterback. The Eagles would go on to win the NFC Championship, ultimately falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.
Philadelphia would release Book at the conclusion of the 2023 preseason. He'd be picked up for the New England Patriots practice squad, but was released a week later and spent the rest of the year without a team.
At the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, Book was signed to a reserve/future contract by the Kansas City Chiefs. He spent the offseason and preseason with Kansas City, but was among their final cuts prior to the start of the regular season.
Book again spent most of this season out of football. However, the Eagles brought him back for his second stint with the team for the stretch run of the regular season. Injuries to starting quarterback Jalen Hurts and backup Kenny Pickett caused Philadelphia to sign Book as insurance.
Book served as the Eagles emergency third quarterback for the last two games of the regular season. He was released at the end of the regular season schedule, but was re-signed to their practice squad for the playoff run.
Philadelphia won all three of their playoff games on their way to another NFC Championship. They'll now face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. Book remained on the practice squad throughout the postseason as the Eagles designated Tanner McKee as their emergency quarterback.
Ian Book has played in only one NFL regular season game, on that forgettable Monday night during the 2021 season against Miami. He now returns to New Orleans with the unique perspective of having suited up for both Super Bowl participants during the year. He'll also have an opportunity to get a championship ring in the home stadium of the franchise that drafted him to start his NFL journey.
