Taysom Hill Responds To Drew Brees’ Saints Decision
Taysom Hill responded to Drew Brees’ Saints decision this week.
On Tuesday, Brees revealed that he was going to return for one more season in New Orleans. The announcement ended more than a month of speculation regarding whether or not the 41-year-old was going to retire this offseason.
Brees opting for another season as the Saints starting quarterback will have massive ramifications for both the organization and its backup passers.
New Orleans found itself in something of a unique predicament heading into this offseason. All three of its quarterbacks were set to become free agents.
Brees and Teddy Bridgewater were unrestricted free agents, and Hill was a restricted free agent.
With Brees returning to the fold, Bridgewater’s departure is inevitable. Some reports have him receiving $30 million annually to go start for some other team.
The big question now is what Brees’ comeback means for Hill.
A few weeks ago, during the Super Bowl, Hill indicated that he wanted to be a starter. If New Orleans could not provide him with that opportunity, he was willing to go somewhere else.
“I definitely view myself as a franchise quarterback,” Hill said at the time.
“As you look at the other questions, ‘Is it New Orleans, is it somewhere else?’ as you go into free agency, this is the time that you start to find out how people view you.
“There’s no denying that I love my time in New Orleans, it has been an incredible experience for me,” he continued.
“The fan base, like, I have loved every second of my time there. Do I want to leave? The fact of the matter is no.
“But as you look at free agency, you have to find the right opportunity for you. You have to find the situation to take care of your family. I want to play quarterback in this league. And if New Orleans doesn’t view me that way, I have to leave.”
🏈 Saints QB @T_Hill4 discusses Drew Brees’ return and his free-agent status
🏈 @JeffDarlington handicaps the @Titans, @Raiders and @Patriots as the teams with the best chance to land Tom Brady
🏈 DC Defenders QB @CJ1two breaks down his XFL success
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 18, 2020
Today, in response to Brees’ announcement, Hill acknowledged on Adam Schefter’s podcast that he would have to simply adjust to life as something other than the Saints’ next starting quarterback.
“At the end of the day, I look at Drew coming back and maybe I’m not playing quarterback, which is ultimately where I want to have an opportunity to play in the NFL,” he said.
“But there are still going to be opportunities for me to make plays.
“I can tell you a unique experience for me that most backup quarterbacks don’t get is I’m in the huddle with Drew on game day,” he continued.
“That to me is invaluable.”
Now that Brees is back in the fold, New Orleans will likely place a tender on Hill. That will ensure that he also comes back, and if he needs to go elsewhere, at least the organization will get a draft pick out of it.
Last year, Hill recorded 156 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries and caught for 234 yards and six scores on 19 receptions. In a limited quarterbacking capacity, he amassed 55 yards on three-of-six passing.
At 30 years old, Hill is technically reaching his prime now. Every year that he sits behind Brees is another season of his prime wasted.
A few weeks ago, Brees indicated that he would be open to splitting time and possessions with Hill.
“If I’m back, and Taysom’s alongside me, call the plays that put us in the best position to win,” Brees said.
“If that means Taysom Hill is taking 30 snaps a game, 25 snaps a game, so be it. I’m all for that.”
All that being said, it is hard to envision a scenario where Sean Payton takes snaps away from a healthy Brees just to make Hill feel involved.
The Saints’ quarterbacking situation is going to be something to keep an eye on in 2020-21.
Related: Russell Wilson Responds To Greg Olsen’s Seahawks Decision
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
It was nice having you as a Saint, but you can go the same way as Jimmy Graham. We did appreciate you while you were here, glad to know you want to go