The Saints are releasing quarterback Trevor Siemian… but he’s not going anywhere. New Orleans will cut the veteran, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network tweets, “but they plan to bring him back later in the week after rosters settle.”
It sounds like a procedural move for the Saints. Once they place some other guys on IR or whatnot they’ll be able to add Siemian back. Since he’s a vested veteran he will become a free agent and won’t be subjected to waivers, so there’s no risk for New Orleans. Bringing him back means the Saints will be keeping four passers on their 53-man roster, a rare but not unprecedented decision.
Siemian is expected to operate as Jameis Winston‘s backup on game days. Taysom Hill plays a variety of other roles when not starting under center, including on special teams, leaving him unable to prepare as the backup throughout the week in practice. The Saints also have fourth-round rookie Ian Book on the roster, who apparently isn’t quite ready to hold Winston’s clipboard.
Siemian was a seventh-round pick of the Broncos in 2015 who improbably became Denver’s starter after Peyton Manning retired. He started 24 games for the Broncos between 2016-17, and has bounced around with a few different teams as a backup or third-string since losing that gig. His only recent live action came in one start with the Jets in 2019, when he suffered a devastating ankle injury after attempting only six passes.
“The Saints also have fourth-round rookie Ian Book on the roster, who apparently isn’t quite ready to hold Winston’s clipboard”.
I suppose it takes years to coach a QB on the intricate nuances of clipboard carrying.