New Orleans Saints do-everything tight end Taysom Hill is one of the longest-tenured players on the team, but the versatile Swiss army knife could be an offseason cut candidate. Originally signing with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL Draft, Hill couldn’t make Green Bay’s Week 1 roster and landed with New Orleans. After spending most of the year on the practice squad, the BYU product earned a spot on the 53-man roster late in the season and the rest was history.
Once viewed as a potential heir to Drew Brees, Hill played quarterback, tight end, wide receiver, running back, and special teams during his tenure in New Orleans. Widely considered to be the most unique player in the league, Hill’s ability to do a little bit of everything made him a staple in the Saints offense under former head coaches Sean Payton and Dennis Allen.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and New Orleans could cut Taysom Hill after the season. The Saints are currently $66.6 million over the projected salary cap and could save $10 million by designating him a post-June 1st cut. Now entering his age-35 season and coming off a torn ACL, New Orleans could part ways with the veteran. While he won’t earn a massive contract with another team, he could sign a prove-it deal with a team like the Baltimore Ravens or Detroit Lions.
Saints Could Cut Taysom Hill In Offseason
After spending years watching Greg Roman cook up uncreative concepts, the Baltimore Ravens offense has thrived under current offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Guiding Lamar Jackson to two MVP-caliber campaigns, Monken has made the most of the quarterback’s unique dual-threat ability. Now, it’s time for him to get more creative with a player who can do a little bit of everything.
Derrick Henry is so effective partly because defenses can’t lock in on him with Jackson also on the field. While Henry is a great player, opposing defenses must focus on Jackson to ensure he doesn’t take off on read options or connect on deep play action passes. This uncertainty makes Baltimore’s offense almost unstoppable, and it could be more dangerous with Hill in the mix. Having two dangerous dual-threats on the field should keep defensive coordinators up and night and only clear out more space for Henry in the run game.
Familiar Faces in Detroit
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell first made a name for himself with the New Orleans Saints, so he should know what to do with Taysom Hill if the Saints cut him. The former assistant head coach has done a remarkable job of turning around this woebegone franchise, guiding the perennial losers into Super Bowl favorites thanks in large part to his creative offense.
Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is perhaps the best young mind in football, and there’s a good chance he will leave for a head coaching opportunity in 2025. However, if he returns, he should figure out how to get the most out of a unique player like Taysom Hill. Even if he leaves, Campbell likely has an in-house option set to take the job, as Johnson has received head coaching buzz the past two offseasons.
Main Photo: Stephen Lew – USA Today Sports
The post Saints Legend Could Be Offseason Cut Candidate, Land With Ravens, Lions appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.