The Saints are restructuring Hill's contract to create cap space. Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Saints reportedly restructure Taysom Hill's contract after Drew Brees retires

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 3/14/21

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees announced his retirement from the NFL on Sunday after 20 seasons in the league. Now the Saints are left with questions about who will start in 2021.

It's believed that Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston will compete for the starting spot. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Saints are restructuring Hill's contract to create cap space. The 30-year-old signed a four-year, $140 million extension, but all years are voidable and the move saves the Saints $7.5 million against the 2021 cap.

Saints are restructuring QB Taysom Hill’s contract to create cap room. Details are great: it’s a 4-year, $140 million contract extension - but all years are voidable and it’s a mechanism to free up cap space this year, per source. It saves Saints over $7.5M against cap this year.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2021

This deal would make it seem like Hill will take over as QB1 in 2021, but he'll still likely have to compete against Winston for the role. Saints head coach Sean Payton opted to start Hill after Brees went down with an injury last season, but he reportedly struggled with the decision to start him over Winston.

Payton confirmed last month that the Saints have a "big interest" in re-signing Winston this offseason, even though he didn't play much in 2020.

It's no surprise the Saints want to bring Winston back. With Brees now in retirement, and only Hill on the roster, Winston would provide New Orleans with a second reliable option at QB.

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