Andy Dalton has found his next home in the NFL. The veteran is signing with the Saints on a one-year contract worth up to $6MM, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). The deal includes $3MM in guaranteed money. 
[RELATED: Bears Sign QB Siemian]
The 34-year-old has settled into life as a backup after nine years as the starter in Cincinnati. He held the No. 2 job in Dallas in 2020, though he made nine starts as a result of injuries to Dak Prescott. He went 4-5 in that stretch, tossing 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions. That was followed by another one-year contract, this time in Chicago.
Dalton was named the starter for the Bears last April, though the team drafted Justin Fields later that month. The former ended up making six starts in the Windy City, putting up almost identical passing stats to his time the year before. With Fields having taken over as the QB of the present and future by the end of the year, though, it became clear Dalton would be on his way out.
In New Orleans, the TCU alum will replace Trevor Siemian, who recently joined the Bears. The Saints have re-signed Jameis Winston as their starter, but his injury history could open the door to playing time for Dalton. If that ends up happening, it would continue his recent streak of getting notable snaps despite spending long stretches as a backup. At a minimum, the three-time Pro Bowler is in line to extend his career for one more season.
Andy Dalton AND Blake Bortles on the same roster. Dreams do come true.
For the Saints opponents.
I’m okay with this deal. Proven NFL QB. If Winston goes down again, or struggles, Dalton can win you games. Carolina and Atlanta are rebuilding, and even Tampa Bay has a few more questions, and the Saints play them tough. There are much worse guys out there.
And, if Winston is unable to be effective without the watchful eye of Sean Payton, it gives New Orleans someone with enough experience to be able to come in on short notice. That wouldn’t be ideal, of course, but it’s be better than relying on an inexperienced player to step in out of nowhere.
It just remains to be seen what the Saints will do at receiver and left tackle to help these guys out.
Getting a sane and healthy Thomas back would help. A pass catching TE, who can actually catch, would help, too. Maybe they kick Ryan over to LT, and roll with Throckmorton or Hurst at RT, they didn’t play badly last year. I’m actually more worried about the defense. Maye is going to have to up his game and injury problems to replace Williams, and another LB is needed inside. I was hoping that Loomis would pay Bobby Wagner and let he and Davis hunt inside. Replacing the DTs inside wouldn’t be bad, and I am scratching my head about the signing of Sorensen.
Same and healthy is a pretty big “if” on Thomas’ end. It would help, but the Saints still would need numbers two and three ironed out.
Ramczyk, if he could make that transition, would be a good option. I liked Throckmorton coming out of college, personally. I also think that they may be moving Sorensen to linebacker, because I don’t quite understand his necessity at safety myself.
Winston/Dalton isn’t a brilliant QB tandem, but you have two capable guys that can win you games there.
I was starting to think the red rifle was out of bullets
I imagine someone in the French quarter could teach him how to use a bayonet.
So Saints and Bears essentially swapped backups lol
After Siemian last year, Andy Dalton is Terry Bradshaw in comparison. I hope nothing happens to Fields. At least Dalton gives you a chance to win the game
that Taysom Hill contract on top of extension on top of another extension just keeps looking worse and worse. What terrible idea.
I know Fields is the present quarterback of the Bears as the article says, but I’m not sure he’s the future quarterback yet. Ohio State has been horrible at making good quarterbacks in the league.
Always wanted to see him in the Viking outfit….