What Is Taysom Hill’s NFL Future?

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Checking Twitter on an NFL Sunday when Taysom Hill makes a big play for the New Orleans Saints is just an amazing sight to see. Fans who have zero ties to BYU or the New Orleans Saints marvel at what Hill does at seemingly a half-dozen positions and rarely at quarterback.

Saints head coach Sean Payton has found a way to use Hill who is listed as a quarterback on the roster but plays many other positions as well. He is not just a guy who plays special teams. He does whatever the coaches ask which in addition to playing special teams is lining up at wide receiver, running back, tight end or any position to be able to get on the field. For the majority of the time, he does it extremely well.

“It wasn’t that we looked at him differently, but the more and more we kept watching him the more and more we thought ‘he’s one of our better players and he needs to be on the field,’” Payton said at his end of season media availability.

Taysom Hill in 2019:
* 234 receiving yards, 6 TD
* 156 rushing yards, 1 TD
* 55 passing yards

* 75 snaps at TE, 64 from the slot, 37 out wide, 20 at RB, 36 at QB

* 285 snaps on special teams, including a blocked punt

One of the most unique seasons we’ve seen in a while.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 6, 2020

For a player who is a jack of all trades and a master of none, Hill does an amazing job as he averaged 8.56 yards any time he touched the ball and had eight touchdowns in the regular season. Not bad for a guy who is not a regular on the field.

Payton is a coach that is open to ideas and that is something that not all NFL head coaches are willing to do. Hill allowed Payton to mix up his scheme and get the most out of him with success. Staying in New Orleans might be the right fit for Hill and more so as long as Drew Brees is around as the starting quarterback.

What Is Next For Taysom Hill?

The sports.ksl.com staff brought forward their thoughts on what is the best scenario for Hill and his NFL future.

Nate Dowdle, KSL Sports Director

One word: stay.

Teddy Bridgewater is about to move on, and Drew Brees isn’t getting any younger. Taysom is in prime position to take over, and he’d be wise to stick with the coach that has already proven he can adapt Hill’s skill set into the offense. As an example, look at how the Baltimore Ravens have integrated Lamar Jackson’s skill set into their offense. They run a unique offense, one that uses Jackson’s abilities both as a runner and as a passer.

John Harbaugh deserves a lot of the credit for the success that the Ravens and Jackson have seen this last year. Sean Payton is obviously made from the same mold. He’s willing to break rules and be creative. He’s adapted Hill into the offense seamlessly, and can further adapt the offense to suit Taysom’s strengths.

THE SWISS ARMY KNIFE.

Taysom Hill's 2019 season highlights are majestic.@T_Hill4 🔥 @Saints pic.twitter.com/SsgUW2KAF6

— NFL UK (@NFLUK) January 8, 2020

Trevor Allen, Crimson Corner Podcast

He is obviously in a great situation now with the Saints and the way they use him. I think he is better off being a wide receiver/tight end in the NFL if he went to a different team. He could also be used at quarterback in certain packages.

Matt Baiamonte, Cougar Sports Saturday

Resigned to the Saints as the back up next year and the starter in 2021. I’ve been on this train for a while.

That's our [BACKUP] quarterback 😱

…and UNDRAFTED ALL-PRO Punt Returner ‼️ pic.twitter.com/SQ74F0IgWp

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 5, 2020

Zak Hicken, SportsBeat Afterhours Podcast

I think there are always teams that take big risks in quarterback free agency. See Chicago with Mike Glennon in ’17, dude was benched by Jameis and got a massive contract.

A couple of teams come to mind that may be looking for a quarterback in 2020: LAC, Tennesee, New England, Miami, Cleveland, Washington, Carolina, Dallas, Detroit, and Pittsburgh.

At the same time, I think Taysom loves being a football player and would gladly take a pay cut to stay in New Orleans to continue to play as a football player instead of as a starting quarterback.

Jeremiah Jensen, SportsBeat

I believe Taysom can play quarterback in the NFL but what he’s doing with New Orleans is unique and groundbreaking. He would never be a star as a quarterback but he’s become a star as a utility player and he’s having a greater impact in that capacity. He should continue playing multiple positions with the Saints or elsewhere.

Jeremy Mauss, KSL’s UnRivaled Producer

It is hard to see Hill being used the same way and as successful on any other team. The NFL is a slow-moving league when it comes to change and with Hill being a quarterback on the roster but playing anywhere and making plays has to be done with the right team, teammates, and staff.

Staying with the Saints makes the most sense for him not only to see the field in multiple positions but if Hill is going to move into a potential NFL starting quarterback role, then staying put is his best option and chance to do so.

Payton on how Taysom Hill's role evolved during the season #Saints pic.twitter.com/7TbD9PWok5

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 7, 2020

Kyle Ireland, Digital Sports Producer

I think he re-signs with the Saints. Sean Payton saw Hill perform well at QB and have success on the playoff stage. New Orleans has already invested multiple seasons into him and won’t want to let him walk, especially if backup QB Teddy Bridgewater leaves New Orleans this offseason. The Saints will continue to build around him as a backup quarterback until Drew Brees calls it quits and then decide where to go with the QB position at that point.

Scott Mitchell, KSL’s UnRivaled

Taysom Hill needs to stay with what he is doing. He is not going to get a shot at quarterback, he is an oddity. If there is a situation where the first two quarterbacks go down and he is forced to the field and then can show that he can win then he might get a shot. However, there is too much development that has to go on with Taysom Hill to be an every-down quarterback.

He is amazing and should just stick to what is working and I think he relishes this role where he is a guy who does it all. Hill is extremely valuable for the Saints and the more you can do in the NFL the longer you stay around, and that is how Hill will have a longer career in the league.

TAYSOM HILL WENT BEAST MODE 😤

(via @thecheckdown) pic.twitter.com/XDPUJhFeWh

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 5, 2020

Alex Kirry, KSL’s UnRivaled

I have been surprised by how successful Taysom Hill has been in the NFL. I saw how athletic he was in college, but I never thought there was a place for him in the NFL because it certainly wasn’t going to be a starting quarterback. He still hasn’t proven he can be a starting quarterback and Hill should temper his expectations at quarterback and live whatever the world is he is able to do and keep doing it with the Saints.