New Orleans Saints: Taysom Hill may have to take a pay cut to stay in the Big Easy

The New Orleans Saints want to retain versatile quarterback Taysom Hill, but he may have to take a pay cut to stay in the Big Easy.

There’s no denying the New Orleans Saints want to bring back Taysom Hill. He does so much within their offense that it’d be unreasonable for the team to not at least have a plan to re-sign him.

A restricted free agent, Hill will likely be getting offers from all around the league. But, wanting to be a franchise quarterback, will he put his dream on hold for the chance at taking over the throne in New Orleans the following season?

After all, it’s expected that Brees signs on for just one more season before retiring. With Teddy Bridgewater potentially leaving this offseason, the Saints will be in search of their next franchise quarterback following Brees.

Sean Payton loves Hill, but does he love him as the team’s full-time quarterback? That we do not know, but what is rather obvious is that the Saints will have to spend some money to retain the 29-year-old Hill. He’s grown as a popular free agency target over the last few months.

A fringe eight-figure per year player, Hill will be getting offers in the ballpark, or, at the very least, he should be trending in that direction. With around $12 million in cap space, will the Saints opt to spend it on Hill among their other obligations?

Eli Apple, Vonn Bell, Andrus Peat and others are set to become unrestricted free agents on March 18. At least a few of them will be on their way out, a testament to how well New Orleans develops their draft picks.

As for Hill, he notched over 230 receiving yards in 2019. He’s used well in Payton’s offense and it’s relatively unknown how he’d play in the offense of a team not anchored by an elite veteran head coach.

Payton used him less like a runner and less as a passer but increased how much he was used in the passing game. Hill was oftentimes a go-to target for Brees and was easily the best player on the field in the team’s Wild Card loss to Minnesota.

Hill is great; he’s a phenomenal asset. But, it’ll be tough to match what other teams will potentially pay him. Fans want him to stay, but will he be worth the cap space if it’s borderline eight figures?