The New Orleans Saints are seven days away from their regular season opener versus the Arizona Cardinals. That means at this time next week, you’ll have already watched nearly a full day of football. Unfortunately, Taysom Hill will not be on the field when the two teams face off. Nevertheless, Hill is still our player of the day as we countdown to Saints kickoff.
Hill tore his ACL near the end of lthe 2024 season. He’s still recovering, and the recovery process will extend into this season. Hill has already been ruled out for at least the first six games of the season after being placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. The earliest we’ll see Hill is ironically, Week 7.
Everyone needs a position, but Hill’s should read football player next to his name. He is the epitome of a jack of all trades. He’s leaned into the receiving aspect of his positional versatility over the last couple of years. They haven’t made many players like Hill, and they won’t make many more.
Everyone is looking for the next Taysom Hill… Keep looking
Taysom Hill’s time at quarterback didn’t result in a long term starting role, but he’s been more than valuable to the team. He is the epitome of a jack of all trades. Just like safeties like Derwin James and Kyle Hamilton are considered faces of positionless football on defense, Hill is the face of versatile quarterbacks who aren’t full time quarterbacks.
Granted, that’s a pretty specific niche, but the specification is necessary. He’s not the face of mobile quarterbacks. That honor would go to Lamar Jackson. When you see an athletic quarterback who may not project as a starter, the first thought for many fans is “can we use this guy like Taysom Hill?”
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald had to come out and make it clear Jalen Milroe won’t be used like Hill. Macdonald’s explanation is a great description of what makes Hill unique. “The way (the Saints) used (Hill) was more in a tight end-fullback hybrid role, sometimes taking snaps; Jalen is a quarterback through and through,” Macdonald said.
That’s why it’ll be difficult to find another Hill. Teams can devise packages to use the athleticism of their backup quarterback, but there aren’t many quarterbacks who can match the physicality of Hill. Being the next Taysom Hill is about taking snaps, but also running routes and blocking. It’s the full package. There just isn’t a surplus of quarterbacks who are willing or capable of doing what Hill does for the Saints.
