New Orleans Saints sign QB Andy Dalton, plan to use versatile Taysom Hill primarily as tight end

The New Orleans Saints’ quarterback room will have a new look in 2022.

The Saints agreed to a one-year deal with veteran Andy Dalton to presumably serve as Jameis Winston’s backup, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Meanwhile, coach Dennis Allen confirmed Tuesday that New Orleans plans to use Taysom Hill primarily as a tight end.

Dalton’s deal is worth up to $6 million, with $3 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN. Winston signed a two-year deal worth $28 million plus incentives last week.

The Saints were in the market for another veteran quarterback after allowing former backup Trevor Siemian to leave for the Chicago Bears in free agency. Dalton, 34, certainly qualifies as an upgrade after starting 148 career games with a 77-69-2 record with the Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys and Bears over his 11-year career.

It’s no surprise the Saints want to continue using the versatile Hill, who has played as a quarterback in read-option packages; as a tight end, wide receiver, running back and fullback in other packages; and in several special teams roles.

“I think the role for Taysom really is going to be a lot more of the kind of F tight end, move tight end type of role. I think that’s the direction that we need to move with him, because I think he can be one of the better players in the league in that role,” Allen told reporters during the NFL meetings in Palm Beach, Florida. “So if Jameis is out there playing quarterback, I don’t really like having Taysom next to me on the sideline. And so I think you’ll see him more in that type of role.”

The Saints have always held that philosophy of not wanting to waste Hill’s talent on the sideline. So they rarely used him as the designated backup quarterback on game days. Hill, 31, started games at quarterback only when starters Drew Brees or Winston suffered long-term injuries.

It’s unclear if that will remain a possibility for Hill if a similar scenario arises, but Dalton’s presence would appear to make it less…