On Tuesday, it was reported that former Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett has signed a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints.
It’s a 3-year deal for Barrett and the #Saints. Perhaps a future investment https://t.co/Z3mggokGHD
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 1, 2018
This probably shouldn’t have been a surprise given the fit. There was already a large number of former Buckeyes on the Saints roster with receivers Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn, and defensive backs Vonn Bell, Kurt Coleman, and Marshon Lattimore. Barrett is now also on the same roster with quarterback Drew Brees, who used to hold many of the Big Ten records that Barrett now possesses.
A three-year deal for an undrafted free agent will be worth around $1.7 million, but Barrett would need to make the 53-man roster in order to reap those rewards. If he makes the team, his salary in year one will be $480,000, and then increase $90,000 per year from there.
Making the team may be a real possibility for Barrett. The Saints currently have three quarterbacks on the roster in Brees, 5-year veteran Tom Savage, and second-year player Taysom Hill. Hill ended up playing in five games last season for the Saints, but only in a special teams role.
New Orleans signed Tom Savage in March to be Brees’ backup. Barrett will be likely be competing with Hill to be the Saints’ No. 3 quarterback.