With free-agent speculation and offseason predictions at an all-time high…let’s throw one more headline in there. As crazy as the idea may seem, Taysom Hill might just be the man for the job for the Indianapolis Colts. A young, talented roster that is missing a mobile quarterback with an elite arm would benefit Hill tremendously.
Hill is a restricted free agent this offseason and with Teddy Bridgewater likely departing in free agency and Drew Brees retirement rumors heating up, Hill has a good chance to be the starter in New Orleans. All this would depend of course if all the chips fell in Hill’s favor.
Used a utility guy with the Saints over the past three seasons, Hill has played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, and multiple spots on special teams. Hill and his agent are ready to take the next step and be taken seriously as a legitimate starting quarterback, wherever that may be.
During Super Bowl week, Hill was asked about his future with the Saints in an interview with the Associated Press’ Rob Maaddi.
“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. And 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.”
Hill also talked about his desire to leave New Orleans as well saying.
“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.”
Hill and the Saints know that if he is not given the promotion to starting QB this offseason then the undrafted third-year Swiss-army knife out of BYU will be on his way to greener pastures.
The biggest problem with Hill potentially hitting the market is the fact that he’s a restricted free agent. Unless the Saints allow Hill to test the open market, it’s highly unlikely he will have the opportunity to do so. And if he does, it will come at a high cost for the Colts.
But what if that greener pasture was Indianapolis? If Chris Ballard decided to bring Hill in and have him compete with Jacoby Brissett for the starting job, it would be an interesting contest between two fairly equal quarterbacks as far as skill level.
Brissett has him beat with experience and starts, but Hill’s rushing ability and arm strength (featured in the playoff game vs Minnesota) might make him a better candidate.
Hill would also be a huge discount for the Colts if they were able to get him in free agency (as opposed to the tender the Saints would put on him). Another veteran quarterback, like Philip Rivers or Tom Brady, might want more money to finish out their careers, but Hill would be available at a lower price because he is not an established starter yet.
Granted this is all speculation, but Hill seems like he would be a good fit behind the Colts stellar offensive line and already dominant run game.
The offense could look somewhat like Baltimore with a mobile quarterback who can carve up defenses with his feet or arm. This would also free up the spot at No. 13 in the draft to get more pieces to put around Hill to make sure he can succeed.
What do you think Colts fans? Is Hill an option for Indy?
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