New Orleans Saints: Questions around Taysom Hill’s future in NOLA

With the coronavirus seemingly bringing a halt to NFL free agency transactions, where does that leave New Orleans Saints restricted free agent Taysom Hill?

The New Orleans Saints had a big decision to make with three quarterbacks in free agency to begin this offseason. After signing Brees again, it was destined for Bridgewater to depart from New Orleans, and that just leaves Taysom Hill as a question mark.

I am going to take some time and answer questions that many New Orleans Saints fans have been asking in regards to Taysom Hill and his future with the New Orleans Saints.

Can Taysom Hill be a franchise quarterback?

I know Saints’ fans have mixed feelings about this question, but in my opinion, no. If you look at Hill’s stats over the last couple of years, there is nothing in his stats that even leads to a slight inclination that he could be.

He threw 7 passes last year and 9 the year before that. Drew Brees averaged upwards of 30-40 passes per game last season. I just don’t think that Hill can be the guy to consistently do that and be starting quality talented at it.

What is Taysom Hill worth?

That’s a valuable question. In the New Orleans Saints’ eyes, he is at least worth a first-round pick in compensation for his talents. The thing that makes Hill the most valuable is his versatility around the field.

Last year, Hill played on two “teams” of the Saints and even played in multiple positions on the offensive side of the ball. It is hard to measure his worth because that talent is so rare. However, I would value him between $3.5 million per year.

By the way, that is less than the first-round tender.

How does Hill’s first-round tender work?

At the beginning of free agency, teams have the option to either let the player become an unrestricted free agent or place a first, second, or original-round tender on that certain player for the period.

If no other team offers Hill a contract, then the New Orleans Saints owes Hill the same contract that the first-round tender was worth. In 2020, the first-round tender was worth $4.6 million which is what he will make next year.

Were any other teams interested in the quarterback?

There were teams interested in Hill; however, he was obviously not worth it to any other team for their first-round pick. He has an interest, but no interest worthy of that kind of cost which begs the question, “Can Hill be a starting quarterback anywhere?”