Saints new backup QB Andy Dalton excited to work with Jameis Winston
The New Orleans Saints signed Andy Dalton to be their backup quarterback and sit behind Jameis Winston on the sidelines during the 2022 season. It was a nice move by the Saints organization, as the other backup options were Ian Book and Blake Bortles, neither of which was an ideal situation.
Dalton knows that his role in New Orleans is to be the backup and help Winston in any way that he can. Per Grant Gordon of NFL.com, Dalton is excited to help out with a new team.
"“This is his thing, and I’m here to help him out in any way that I can,” Dalton said Thursday in his introductory news conference with the Saints. “So, I’m excited to work with him, excited to be in the same room, and see everything I can do to help him out to make him the best player he can be.”"
Dalton started nine years for the Bengals after Cincinnati made him a second-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Once Cincy had the No. 1 overall pick in 2020, however, the writing was on the wall for Dalton and he was released.
He soon inked a deal with the Cowboys to back up Dak Prescott but found himself back in the starting role when Prescott was injured early in the season. He then signed with Chicago last offseason with the intent of being the starter until the Bears traded up to draft Justin Fields in the first round.
Dalton and Fields split time as the starter but he wasn’t retained by the Bears and now is on his fourth team in four years. He knows his role coming into New Orleans though and that’s important. There’s no quarterback controversy here.
Saints QB Andy Dalton knows his role is to mentor Jameis Winston
Winston was re-signed to a two-year deal after the organization “missed out” on Deshaun Watson and this means the team can focus on other positions of need and not waste a pick on a quarterback in the draft.
Signing Dalton just shores up the position and puts Blake Bortles’ chances of making the roster in jeopardy. Ian Book also has to have a strong preseason if he wants to stick on the roster in 2022.
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It’ll be nice to have a veteran like Dalton sitting behind Winston on the bench this year. If Winston is forced to miss an extended period of time, fans can feel assured that Andy Dalton gives them a chance at competing in games. Of course, hopefully, it doesn’t come to that.