Category: Taysom Hill

Taysom Hill’s RFA deadline comes and goes without an offer sheet

The New Orleans Saints finally signed restricted free agent quarterback Taysom Hill to his 2020 season tender, but a trade is still possible

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As expected, the NFL’s 3 p.m. deadline on Friday, April 17 passed without an offer sheet for New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill. The restricted free agent received a formal first-round tender worth over $4 million back in March, which he will now sign so that he can play football in 2020. Teams had until this point to make Hill an offer, though signing him to a deal that the Saints declined to match would have cost them a first-round draft pick.

Now, this does not necessarily mean that Hill will play for the Saints this year. He could still be traded to another team if the right offer is put on the table, but New Orleans’ decision to tender him at the highest possible value suggests they won’t send him away for peanuts.

Nor should they. Hill’s presence is often electric, especially when he’s allowed to make a play with the ball in his hands. Just look at last season’s playoff loss to the Minnesota Vikings, when Hill was the only playmaker on offense for most of the second half. His impact was felt through the air and on the ground in some of that game’s brightest moments.

While the Saints can call him a quarterback all they want, more than half of Hill’s plays came on special teams in 2019, and their plans for 2020 include adding a third passer so that Hill can continue to sprint downfield and crash into opponents with his throwing shoulder. It’ll be fascinating to see whether the Saints change their approach, creating a scenario where Hill is able to handle the majority of snaps from under center as the starting quarterback.

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Will another team make Taysom Hill an offer before the NFL deadline?

The New Orleans Saints issued a first-round restricted free agent tender to QB Taysom Hill, and the NFL deadline might make him sign it.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill still hasn’t signed the restricted free agent tender the team issued to him back in March, but a critical deadline could spur him (or any interested teams) into action.

The NFL’s deadline for restricted free agents to sign an offer sheet with another team is set to pass at the close of business on Friday, April 17, around 3 p.m. CT. If Hill doesn’t sign his tender, he won’t play for anyone in 2020. But he’s fully expected to do so and suit up for the Saints.

Valued at $4.641 million (all counting against the 2020 salary cap), Hill’s tender would keep him in New Orleans for another year before he could test unrestricted free agency in 2021. If another team signs him to an offer sheet before Friday’s deadline, however, the Saints will have the choice to match it, or let him walk away — recouping a first-round draft pick in the process.

However, all’s been quiet on Hill since the Saints first formally deployed that tender. There have been no rumors of other teams considering whether to make a move for him, which makes sense considering the price they would have to pay in draft capital and his unproven NFL odds.

Hill played more snaps on special teams than offense last season and turns 30 in August. Any teams interested in his services would probably prefer to draft a younger prospect with more room to develop. So while things could change in a hurry, for now it looks like Saints coach Sean Payton will get his wish, and give Hill a real shot to succeed Drew Brees.

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Taysom Hill has earned a shot as the Saints QB2, says Sean Payton

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton offered an endorsement of quarterback Taysom Hill, saying the talented athlete has earned his stripes.

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Where does Taysom Hill slot in on the New Orleans Saints depth chart? Last season, he was the third-string quarterback behind Drew Brees and Teddy Bridgewater, playing more often at receiver and tight end (or on special teams) than at his listed position. Even when Brees was held out with an injury to his throwing hand, Hill largely stood by and watched Bridgewater quarterback his way to five wins as a starter.

Now, though, Bridgewater is leading the cross-division Carolina Panthers. And Hill is under contract on a one-year deal, earning $4.64 million on a restricted free agent tender. That puts Hill in the next-man-up spot next to Brees. And if Sean Payton is telling the truth (which he has admitted to not doing in the past), Hill will stay there even if the Saints add another passer.

“Taysom’s earned this opportunity to be our No. 2 (quarterback). But he’s also earned the opportunity to play and help us win football games as a one,” Payton said during an interview with WWL Radio when asked about Hill’s projected status for 2020 and beyond.

But Payton clarified that no matter what position Hill’s designated on the official roster, the Saints will find ways to get him the football: “And what I mean by that, whether you call him a receiver, a tight end, a specialist, also a quarterback. Yeah, he’s going to play. He’s too good a football player. He’s one of our better football players.”

So asking the future of your franchise to go out and block with his throwing shoulder might make things difficult, at least in the short-term. Payton acknowledged that the team would consider bringing in another quarterback because of the possibility that Hill could miss time, owing to the more-physical nature of his assignments than what most passers face.

Payton continued, “Because on any given play, Taysom can come over to the sideline and his, his right thumb or finger can be pointing east and west. And if that happens, you know, then you don’t have a backup quarterback. But, I would say coming into the season, you know, he’s going to be our second string quarterback and obviously play a number of snaps, not only at quarterback but at other positions.”

How the Saints might acquire that third quarterback is, for now, unclear. They could draft a high-upside rookie early like Utah State’s Jordan Love or Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts, or settle for a middling prospect such as Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm. The Saints may also take a hard look at the free agent market, with big names like Cam Newton and Jameis Winston searching for new teams. Clipboard-holders including Trevor Siemian, Mike Glennon, and Geno Smith are also still out there. Wherever New Orleans finds its next signal-caller, it won’t lack for options.

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Saints officially tender restricted free agent Taysom Hill

The New Orleans Saints completed an expected move by issuing a first-round restricted free agent tender to backup quarterback Taysom Hill.

The New Orleans Saints formally placed a first-round tender on restricted free agent quarterback Taysom Hill on Wednesday, as reported by Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported last week that this move was coming, but now it’s official. But what does it mean?

Hill is now expected to play the 2020 season on a one-year, fully-guaranteed contract valued at around $4.641 million, per Over The Cap. While the Saints will have the ability to sign him to a contract extension at any time, he will otherwise become an unrestricted free agent in March 2021.

Additionally, other NFL teams can now sign Hill to an offer sheet, which the Saints can opt to match dollar for dollar — but if they choose not to, the team signing Hill away from New Orleans forfeits a first-round draft pick. We previously identified a few teams that could make that kind of gamble, with some (Jon Gruden’s Las Vegas Raiders, who own a pair of first rounders and are dissatisfied with easy-to-cut franchise QB Derek Carr) more plausible to take the plunge than others.

So while Hill is all set up for another year of throwing, catching, and rumbling ahead for touchdown scores (or making key blocks for his teammates), things are very much changing between him and the Saints. If he’s going to spend more time practicing as a traditional quarterback, we might see less of Hill on special teams, which is a shame given the highlight reel he’s built in that area of the game.

And as we just pointed out, there’s a possibility he ends up playing somewhere else in 2020. But while we’re speculating about his potential fits around the league, isn’t it interesting that the Raiders could host the Saints to open their new home at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas?

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Report: Saints planning to put first-round RFA tender on Taysom Hill

The New Orleans Saints will place the most-valuable restricted free agent tender on quarterback Taysom Hill, their most-versatile playmaker.

The New Orlenas Saints plan to apply the first-round tender to quarterback Taysom Hill, a pending restricted free agent, per a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This one-year, fully-guaranteed contract is estimated to be worth between $4 and $6 million (Schefter clarified that the total is expected to fall in the middle, near $5 million), and will allow the Saints to match any contract offers Hill receives from other teams. If they decline to match an offer sheet, the Saints will recoup a first-round draft pick from the team that signs Hill away.

It’s not really unexpected given the length to which Saints coach Sean Payton has talked up Hill this offseason, doubling down on the notion that he and the team view Hill as franchise quarterback material. Hill, who turns 29 this August, has thrown 15 passes in 42 career NFL games (including the playoffs). But this tag is a real, tangible commitment to Hill after months of media chatter.

Still, Schefter added that the Saints are prepared to commit even more to Hill. He reported that the teams plans to re-sign Hill to a long-term contract extension anyway, so this tender may end up having just bought them some time. It could also help give the Saints an idea of Hill’s value on the open market, which may be difficult to identify internally — more than half of Hill’s 2019 snaps came on special teams, and most of his time on offense was spent at slot receiver.

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Sean Payton suggests Saints could sign Taysom Hill to a long-term extension

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton acknowledged that it would be difficult, but his team could sign a contract extension with Taysom Hill.

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The New Orleans Saints are set to begin contract negotiations with franchise quarterback Drew Brees, who announced he intends to play in 2020 after taking a month away from football to mull over his future. That creates serious implications for backup passers Teddy Bridgewater (who won’t lack for suitors on the open market) and Taysom Hill, whose upside on special teams and pass-catching ability could draw offers as a restricted free agent. The Saints have their work cut out for them in trying to keep their quarterbacks room intact, and it’s clearly on Sean Payton’s mind.

Payton appeared on WWL Radio with Bobby Hebert and Kristian Garic earlier this week, with the Saints head coach discussing a range of topics including Hill’s complicated free agency. The best bet for the 29-year-old to return in 2020 would be on a restricted free agent tender, but Payton acknowledged that there’s other ways for the Saints to retain him.

“Well, there are two [ways] to go about it,” Payton said. “Number one, we can sign him to a deal before the league year starts and you never get to that point [of applying a tender]. I think if he was unsigned prior to the league year, I’d anticipate us really paying close attention to that and looking at that first round tender.”

As Payton noted, there are multiple tenders available. We’ve broken them down in greater detail before, but the gist of it is that the highest-level tender would guarantee the Saints a first-round pick in compensation should Hill leave for another team. And it’s probably more likely that the Saints will tender Hill than sign him to a long-term contract extension, but Payton still added that an agreement might be worked out.

Payton continued, “Now I think it will take some time relative to his contract because it’s unique, A, in what he’s doing now and [B] what we feel like he can be and what he can do when Drew does retire, so that will probably take a little bit more work than the contract that Mickey does with Drew.”

It might be difficult for the Saints to agree with Hill’s agent on exact contract figures. Hill is adamant that he’s a franchise quarterback, and Payton has agreed with that take in media appearances, but his actions tell a different story. 54% of Hill’s snaps last season came on special teams. As much as Payton may talk up Hill’s comparisons to Steve Young, Young was never asked to sprint downfield in punt coverage or line up in a three-point stance and block with his throwing shoulder. Hill’s unique usage is definitely going to factor into contract talks, meaning a restricted free agent tender is the likely path forward.

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Taysom Hill prepared to leave the Saints if they don’t view him as a franchise QB

Taysom Hill has reiterated that he views himself as a quarterback, and he’s prepared to leave the New Orleans Saints if they disagree.

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What is Taysom Hill’s position? He’ll tell anyone who will listen that it’s quarterback, but more than half his snaps with the New Orleans Saints came on special teams last year. On offense, his time at receiver and tight end dwarfs his action at quarterback. But he elaborated on his stance during an interview with Rob Maaddi of The Associated Press.

“I definitely view myself as a franchise quarterback,” Hill said. “I think 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. We haven’t gotten into free agency long enough to really know how these guys view me, and we’ll just handle it as it comes.”

While Hill is only a restricted free agent this year (meaning the Saints will have the option to match any contract offers he receives, or keep him around on a low-cost one-year contract tender), he’s obviously casting an eye to the future. And he has to do that. Hill will be 30 when the 2020 season kicks off, and there’s no guarantee that his body will hold up to continued abuse in his current role — four of his five years at BYU ended with injuries. Unlike the 27-year-old Teddy Bridgewater, he doesn’t have the luxury of biding his time on the bench until the perfect opportunity opens up. There’s a very narrow window for Hill to cash out in, and he knows that.

So while he wouldn’t be happy in having to leave the Saints, it’s a reality Hill has already made his peace with: “I have loved every second of my time (in New Orleans). So do I want to leave? The fact of the matter is no, I don’t. 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 don’t view me that way, well then I have to leave. That’s really where we’re at.”

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Sean Payton thinks another team could try to sign RFA Taysom Hill

The New Orleans Saints have tough decisions to make with all of their quarterbacks, and Sean Payton is concerned Taysom Hill may not return.

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What’s to be done with Taysom Hill? The New Orleans Saints restricted free agent endeared himself to fans by making plays in just about any role asked of him, lining up all over the field. It’s enough for Saints coach Sean Payton to tell anyone who will listen that Hill is his quarterback of the future.

But actions speak louder than words — more than half of Hill’s 2019 snaps were taken on special teams, and he spent significantly more time at receiver or tight end than at quarterback. If Payton is telling the truth about envisioning the Hill’s future (which includes his 30th birthday later this year) at quarterback, he’s telling us something different in how Hill is actually playing.

And it’s worth noting that we’re about a month removed from Payton admitting that he lied about not being interested in free agent wide receiver Antonio Brown. The offseason is lying season in the NFL.

That said: Payton isn’t just concerned another team could poach Hill — he’s expecting an attempt. The Saints coach made an appearance on The Peter King Podcast and gave his take on what could lie ahead in Hill’s restricted free agency.

“Yeah, I think someone is going to make him an offer. But the first thing the fan has to understand is,” Payton said, “if we tender Taysom as a one [a first-round tag], the team that makes the offer on him and signs him to an offer understands they’re going to give up a first-round pick if we don’t match. That’s easier to do if you’re pick 22, 23, 24, 25. We might very well see it if it’s a team in the second half of the [first round].”

So, it’s early in the process. It’s unclear which rookie quarterbacks will be available in the first round beyond the top tier of Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, and Justin Herbert. But Payton seems to be suggesting that other teams could go after Hill if they’re not confident that better options will be on the table in the latter half of the first round.

And that’s where the Saints must make some tough decisions. What’s more valuable? Taking a chance that Hill is more than a flash in the pan, and could thrive despite his age and lengthy injury history (four of his five years at BYU ended on injured reserve) might not be worth it on a starting quarterback’s salary at $15 million or more per year.

When the possibility is there to recoup a first-round pick and the talents that are available (meaning a top receiver prospect like LSU’s Justin Jefferson or Clemson’s Tee Higgins), as well as the five years of rookie contract control that come with it, the Saints have to be tempted if another team makes a significant offer.

And maybe that’s Payton’s grand plan, even if it requires some serious overthinking to suss it out. The Saints won five games with their backup quarterback last season and have a clear succession plan in place, but it doesn’t involve Hill. Teddy Bridgewater proved to be someone they can ride with. The smart move could be getting another team to swap a high draft pick for Hill and surround Bridgewater, the proven commodity, with more weapons.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. It all hinges on whether Drew Brees chooses to return for one more run at a Super Bowl or begin what looks like a busy retirement. And until he makes his decision, this is just speculation from all involved, including Payton himself.

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WR, TE, QB, FB, RB? Just how many positions did Taysom Hill play in 2019?

The New Orleans Saints played Taysom Hill just about everywhere during the 2019 season, but more than half his snaps were on special teams.

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What’s the next chapter in Taysom Hill’s story? The do-it-all playmaker has a reputation as a Swiss Army knife, seeming to succeed everywhere the New Orleans Saints put him in just about any role. But where exactly did he line up in 2019?

It can be hard to distinguish that. Hill takes reps from all over the Saints offense, lining up out wide as a receiver on one play before trotting over to lead-block as a fullback. He’s auditioned at tight end and thrived as a slot receiver, also playing sparingly as a quarterback. And that doesn’t even get into his many responsibilities on special teams.

Thankfully, the team at Pro Football Focus is here to help. They charted every snap Hill played in 2019, and recorded each position he lined up — totaling 572 snaps in 17 games, including the playoffs. However, just 264 of those plays came on offense; 54% of Hill’s action was spent on special teams, running with the punt and kicking units.

Here’s an illustration of Hill’s usage in a pie chart we put together using PFF data:

So there’s an answer: considered all of his assignments, it’s safe to say that Hill played 10 different positions during the 2019 season. But while more than half of Hill’s contributions came on special teams, what we’re really curious about is his usage on offense. So here’s a second chart that’s filtered down the positions played on offense, and combined his snaps at receiver (72 in the slot, 44 out wide):

That paints a better portrait of what kind of talent he is, and where Hill’s career may go next. He may insist on being designated a quarterback — and Saints coach Sean Payton might be determined to tell anyone who’ll listen that it’s the case — but actions speak louder than words. And so far, the Saints have shown a greater willingness to play Hill at other positions, and it’s tough to argue with the results. He caught 21 of 24 targets for 259 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns last season, also logging 31 carries for 206 rushing yards and another score. Great things happen when Hill gets the football as a receiver or runner, and the Saints should continue to prioritize that.

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Taysom Hill clarifies what his fantasy football position should be

Taysom Hill, who has played many positions for the New Orleans Saints beyond just quarterback, has thoughts on his fantasy football position

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What position should Taysom Hill say he plays, when asked? The easy answer is “football player,” but that doesn’t square easily with the rabid fantasy football community, who have been confounded by the New Orleans Saints’ so-called quarterback who logs more snaps at other positions in kickoff and punt coverage, field goal protection, tight end, slot receiver, and fullback, among others.

So, it’s a tougher question to answer than it appears at first glance. The fantasy football community has been in uproar over Hill’s usage in New Orleans, initially due to his habit of “vulturing” short-yardage touchdowns from both Alvin Kamara (on running plays) and Michael Thomas (on slant passes), but that response evolved as Hill became more of a regular feature in the Saints offense. Now that he’s become a weekly threat to score or gain big chunks of yardage (having hit paydirt eight times in 2019, including the playoffs), there’s fantasy points being left untouched by team managers.

What’s specifically frustrating for them is that Hill is listed as a quarterback in most formats, meaning they would have to bench a starting quarterback in conventional leagues to take advantage of Hill’s unique workload. Some two-quarterback systems opened the door for him to make an impact, but that’s a small niche within the broader industry. Many formats include a “flex” position in addition to your standard groupings (quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end) but that slot is rarely available for quarterbacks.

It’s something Hill acknowledged when Matt Harmon of Yahoo Fantasy Sports asked what position he should be listed at. “Oh man, well,” Hill answered, choosing his words very carefully, “It would be hard to argue with all the comments last year after I probably should have been a ‘flex’ in the 2019 season, but I better stay at quarterback for the future.”

Maybe that’s a sign that more pass attempts are in Hill’s future. Whatever the case, his distinctive skills set should continue to frustrate fantasy football players all over the world.

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