Taysom Hill Bids Farewell To Saints

The 35-year-old is not retiring – at least, not yet – but the team’s lack of interest in signing him to another contract has forced him to consider his options.

“I’ve taken time this offseason to think carefully about what comes next for my family and me,” Hill said in a statement released by the Saints. “I still don’t have a clear answer about what the future holds, but I know that returning to New Orleans is not in the cards.” He went on to express his gratitude for the organization that took a chance on him as a 27-year-old undrafted rookie out of BYU back in 2017.

It seems that Hill was hoping for a stay in New Orleans after his contract expired this offseason, but the team has decided to move in a different direction. Drawing interest from another club may be difficult given his age, waning production over the last three years, and uncertain positional fit. The versatility that was long Hill’s calling card may now be challenging for offensive coordinators to incorporate in their systems. With just 40 passing attempts since 2022, his quarterback days are long behind him. He has instead transitioned into a hybrid fullback/tight end role that moved him around the offense for all kinds of schemed-up touches. But he recorded just 205 yards from scrimmage last year, his fewest since becoming a regular contributor to the offense in 2018, as well as career-worst marks of 2.2 yards per carry, 3.3 yards per touch, and one total touchdown.

Teams searching for a gadget playmaker on offense may inquire about Hill, though he would likely need to accept a significant pay cut from his previous $10MM AAV contracts in New Orleans. Reuniting with Sean Payton in Denver seems like an obvious fit, but the Broncos already have fullback Adam Prentice under contract, along with starting tight end Evan Engram, backup Adam Trautman, and rookie draft picks Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley. Hill might be relegated to the practice squad with game day call-ups as Payton’s gameplans require.

Retirement could very well be the eventual outcome of Hill’s departure from New Orleans, the only home in his NFL career. But, as always, it only takes one team to give a player a chance and extend his career.