Saints sign quarterback Andy Dalton to 1-year deal: Source

Saints sign quarterback Andy Dalton to 1-year deal: Source
By The Athletic Staff
Mar 29, 2022

The New Orleans Saints are signing former Bears quarterback Andy Dalton to a one-year deal, a source confirmed to The Athletic. The deal is reportedly worth a maximum of $6 million, with $3 million in guaranteed money.

He'll almost certainly be the backup to Jameis Winston, who the Saints re-signed to a two-year, $28 million deal earlier this month. Saints coach Dennis Allen said on Tuesday that Taysom Hill would primarily be used as a tight end.

Dalton, 34, played in eight games for Chicago last season and went 3-3 in his six starts. He completed 63.1 percent of his passes for 1,515 yards, eight touchdowns and nine interceptions in those games. He suffered a knee injury early in the season, which led to rookie Justin Fields being named the permanent starter.

Prior to joining the Bears, Dalton spent a season with the Dallas Cowboys and nine years as a starter with the Bengals where he posted a 70-61-2 record.

(Photo: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images)

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Saints add veteran QB Andy Dalton to serve as Jameis Winston's backup

What Dalton brings to the Saints’ QB room

Katherine Terrell, Saints beat writer: The Saints view Dalton as a backup to Winston. With Trevor Siemian departing in free agency and Taysom Hill moving back to his tight end/hybrid role, Dalton will likely be the No. 2 quarterback. The Saints like his experience as a starter and feel comfortable if he needed to come into a game in case of injury. Ian Book, who started one game as a rookie last year, will likely be the third quarterback.

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