We're on the cusp of the moment New Orleans Saints fans have anticipated all offseason. Taysom Hill has announced he wouldn't be returning to the Saints, and just a few days later, Sean Payton is already letting the world know he would reunite with the Denver Broncos if given the chance.
What's notable about this is it wasn't a leaked report. Payton flat out told reporters Steve Wyche and Cynthia Frelund the Broncos will explore signing the former Saints jack of all trades. No need for subterfuge, the Broncos being the best home for Hill and the most likely landing spot allows for Payton to be completely transparent.
Broncos Coach Sean Payton told @cfrelund Cynthia Frelund and me today that the Broncos will explore bringing in free agent tight end Taysom Hill, who played for Payton with the Saints.
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) August 1, 2026
If Taysom Hill wants to play football, he is a Denver Bronco
Not he should or could be. If Taysom Hill decides football is in the cards for him in 2026, it will happen with the Broncos. Reuniting with Payton was always the most likely playing scenario for Hill. Now it's the scenario in general.
If you would have asked me a week ago what Hill would be doing this October, I would have quickly told you he'd be retired. That's not out of the question, but one part of his farewell speech to New Orleans and the Saints changed my stance.
"I still don't have a clear answer about what the future holds, but I know returning to New Orleans is not in the cards. As training camp begins, I don't want my silence to be misinterpreted."
Those two sentences told me all I needed to hear. Hill isn't sold on retirement. For me it was a notice that it being quiet wasn't an indication of anything but uncertainty; however, it was a bat signal for Payton.
We've heard people pair Hill and the Broncos together because of the history with Payton, but we hadn't heard much interest from the Denver side until Saturday. Payton, like many others, likely assumed Hill would retire. Hill's comments about not knowing his answer just yet leaves a sliver of hope.
A sliver is all Payton needed. It was a signal, and Payton sent one right back. If Hill decides to play football again, there's a spot with the Broncos waiting on him. They don't even have a player wearing no. 7 at the moment.
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