3 Saints contracts we were happy to see end, 2 we’re eager to see expire

Saints contract we're eager to see expire: Jameis Winston, QB

While fans were happy to see Andy Dalton leave, he wasn't making near as much as Jameis Winston. Dalton signed a one-year deal with $3 million guaranteed — and the ability to make up to $6 million. Winston, on the other hand, just restructured his deal to stick around for the 2023 season.

After originally signing a two-year, $28 million deal ahead of the 2022 campaign — then spending the year behind Dalton — Winston will now make $8 million in 2023. As far as practicality goes, this was a win-win for both parties. Winston wasn't getting close to that on the open market and the Saints were able to cut his final year down by $6 million.

Even so, that's a lot of money to pay for a backup quarterback. With needs all over the roster, including at defensive tackle where they lost David Onyemata and Shy Tuttle this offseason, it's hard not to think about what could have been if they had the extra space.

Throw in the fact that New Orleans used a fourth-round pick on Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book in 2021 and they even have a replacement for Winston already on the roster. It's fair to say Winston is a better option than Book but the difference in pay is nothing to scoff at.