The New Orleans Saints have signed quarterback Andy Dalton to a one-year contract and plan on using the versatile Taysom Hill primarily as a tight end. The signing of Dalton is an attempt by Sean Payton and Co. to find stability in their inconsistent offense, which has included major changes with each new season’s arrival.
In 2022, the quarterback room of the New Orleans Saints will be remodeled.
It was revealed that the Saints had agreed to terms with veteran Andy Dalton, who would probably serve as Jameis Winston’s backup quarterback. Meanwhile, New Orleans coach Dennis Allen stated on Tuesday that Taysom Hill would be used mostly as a tight end.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Dalton’s one-year contract is worth up to $6 million, with $3 million guaranteed. Last Monday, Winston agreed to a two-year contract for $28 million including incentives.
After letting former backup Trevor Siemian to walk for the Chicago Bears in free agency, the Saints were on the market for another experienced quarterback. After starting 148 games with the Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, and Chicago Bears over the course of his 11-year career, Dalton, 34, is unquestionably an improvement.
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It’s no surprise that the Saints want to keep employing Hill, who has seen action as a quarterback in read-option packages, as a tight end, wide receiver, running back, and fullback in other formations, and on special teams.
“Taysom’s job, I believe, will be more akin to that of a F tight end or a move tight end. I believe that is the path we should go with him, as I believe he can be one of the best players in the league in that capacity “During the NFL meetings in Palm Beach, Florida, Allen told reporters. “So if Jameis is on the field playing quarterback, I don’t enjoy having Taysom on the sideline with me. As a result, I believe you’ll see him in more of those kind of roles in the future.”
The Saints have always believed in not squandering Hill’s skill by keeping him on the bench. As a result, he was seldom employed as a game-day backup quarterback. Hill, 31, has only started games as a backup quarterback when starters Drew Brees or Jameis Winston have been out for an extended period of time.
If a comparable situation develops, it’s uncertain if Hill will still be able to do so, although Dalton’s presence would seem to make it less probable.
Since joining the Saints as an undrafted rookie in 2017, Hill has shown to be one of the league’s most versatile players. Over the previous two seasons, he has started nine games at quarterback and has a 7-2 record. In the regular season, the 6-foot-2, 221-pounder had 34 receptions for 388 yards and seven touchdowns, with additional five catches for 32 yards and two scores in the playoffs. He has 1,183 running yards and 16 rushing touchdowns in his career.
Hill agreed to a one-of-a-kind deal extension with the Saints in November that would pay him $40 million over four years if he stayed in a non-quarterback position, but could be worth up to $95 million if he became the starting quarterback and met certain criteria.
Winston, on the other hand, said many times on Monday that he is looking forward to being named the starter for the whole offseason rather than battling for the position during training camp and the preseason.
Winston, who went 5-2 as New Orleans’ starter last season before injuring the ACL in his left knee, said, “I’m thrilled that I don’t have to walk into training camp with the concern of whether or not I’m going to be leading this team or not.” “When we speak about continuity and progress, I think a lot of people forget that I wasn’t designated this team’s starting quarterback until a week before we faced the Green Bay Packers [in Week 1].” During the same week, we’re relocating to Dallas, planning various activities, and relocating our whole family [to evacuate for Hurricane Ida].
“So, as an overall leader, I had a short-term influence on this team in the manner that I intended to have an impact on this team. So I’m looking forward to having complete control and having whatever I need. And, ideally, everyone else in the building agrees.”
After being taken in the second round in 2011, Dalton spent his first nine seasons as Cincinnati’s starting quarterback. He guided the Bengals to the playoffs in each of his first five NFL seasons, the franchise’s greatest postseason run.
He spent the 2020 season with the Cowboys, first as a backup behind Dak Prescott until taking over as the starter when Prescott’s season was cut short due to an ankle injury in Week 5.
In March 2021, Dalton signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Bears. The Bears moved up in the first round to select Justin Fields with the 11th overall selection little over a month later.
Last summer, one of the biggest stories in Chicago was a quarterback duel in training camp between the 11-year NFL veteran and the Ohio State rookie. Dalton started the first two games of the 2021 season before suffering a knee injury in Week 3 and was replaced by Fields.
Because of Fields’ injury, Dalton started four additional games, in Weeks 12-13 and again in Weeks 16-17.
Dalton has passed for 35,279 yards and 226 touchdowns while throwing 135 interceptions in his career. Since joining the NFL in 2011, he has the fourth-most career running touchdowns (22) among all quarterbacks.
Courtney Cronin of ESPN contributed to this story.
