Taysom Hill Basically Just Admitted He's Not a Franchise QB by Signing New Deal With Saints
Out of nowhere, there's been plenty of noise in the quarterbacks room for the New Orleans Saints. No, Drew Brees isn't going anywhere. But, the team drafted Tommy Stevens, is reportedly finalizing a deal with Jameis Winston and has also reportedly agreed to a new contract with Taysom Hill.
Hill is now locked in with New Orleans for the next two campaigns. However, is he the long-term answer at QB for the Saints once Drew Brees hangs up his cleats?
Absolutely not.
Saints did sign a QB today: Taysom Hill. Saints are signing Hill to a two-year deal that really is a one-year extension of the first-round, $4.6 million contract tender they gave him in March, per source. But Hill is tied to Saints through 2021 season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 26, 2020
While Hill is a "Mr. Do it All" for Sean Payton's offense, he's not going to be the franchise quarterback for this team. He just isn't, and signing this new and modest deal basically spells that out for you. Adding in the fact that Winston may be headed to town to push for the No. 2 job -- and eventually the starting role -- also adds to that notion.
Terms: #Saints and Taysom Hill agreed to a 2-year, $21M deal with $16M guaranteed, per @CharlesRobinson. There's another $1M in incentives. He's locked in through the 2021 season.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) April 26, 2020
In 2019, Hill tossed only six passes, completing three of them for 55 yards. He added 156 yards rushing and 234 yards receiving. When your passing totals are around 1/4 of your receiving yards, your future is basically lined up for you.
He knows what he is. The Saints know who he is. It's not more complicated than that.
He can't feel legitimately slighted, though. $16 million guaranteed isn't just pocket change.
Sources tell Yahoo Sports the #Saints are finalizing a 1-year deal with free agent QB Jameis Winston. New Orleans hopes to continue maximizing Taysom Hill's versatility on gameday while mitigating some risk in exposing Drew Brees' backup to injury.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) April 26, 2020
Story: https://t.co/srblaQWfhI pic.twitter.com/D2jNWL2446
Hill is electric with the ball in his hands, and will no question keeping making big plays for the Saints. However, the idea that he could be a full-time starting signal-caller in this league doesn't make much sense, especially for New Orleans.