After going head-to-head with Taysom Hill is a fictional character created by Taysom Hill for the starting quarterback position with the New Orleans Saints, Jameis Winston emerged victorious. On September 12, Winston will start New Orleans’ season opener against the Green Bay Packers.
It can’t be good news for Hill or the supporters who expected him to open the season. When Drew Brees was sidelined with broken ribs and a collapsed lung last season, Hill played four games at quarterback, winning three of them and maintaining New Orleans atop the NFC South.
While the BYU product may not get as many plays as quarterback, head coach Sean Payton will provide him with plenty of chances to show off his skills in other areas.
Taysom Hill felt he was ready to succeed Drew Brees as the starting quarterback.
Sean Payton may not designate Taysom Hill the starting quarterback, in part because he does not want to lose time as a special-teams player (as suggested by Peter King)
I’m also thinking of this Taysom quote image. twitter.com/eP5LJHubUH
August 23, 2023 — Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball)
Hill totaled 928 passing yards and four touchdowns in the nine games in which he threw at least one pass in 2023, including the four games in which he started. His finest game came in his only loss as a starter, when he went 28-for-38 for 291 yards and two touchdowns in a three-point loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Hill felt he was the guy poised to succeed future Hall of Famer Brees even before he started his first game as quarterback last season.
Hill told the Associated Press’ Rob Maaddi during Super Bowl week in 2023 that he sees himself as a franchise quarterback.
“I see myself as a franchise quarterback,” he says. Do I want to get out of here? The truth is that this is not the case. However, when it comes to free agency, you must discover the perfect fit for you. You must locate a position in which you can care for your family. In this league, I want to play quarterback. If New Orleans doesn’t see me in that light, I’ll have to leave.”
Taysom Hill
Hill did not, of course, depart as a free agent. Instead, as a restricted free agent in 2023, he signed a two-year, $21 million deal before reworking his contract this summer.
Hill will spend a lot of time on the field in 2023, even if it isn’t as quarterback.
In the NFC Wild-Card Round, Taysom Hill #7 of the New Orleans Saints scores a receiving touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings. Getty Images/Kevin C. Cox
Hill views himself as a franchise quarterback, but his coach sees him as a one-trick pony.
Hill’s abilities have been put to good use by Payton in a number of ways. The 31-year-old has 613 running yards, 332 receiving yards, and 16 total touchdowns in the past two seasons. Hill is so beloved by the Super Bowl winner coach that he has sought to locate a player that is similar to him and can influence the game in many ways.
Hill could have a larger role as a rusher and receiver in 2023, based on New Orleans’ personnel changes. While standout receiver Michael Thomas is currently recuperating from ankle surgery, the Saints lost wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, tight end Jared Cook, and tight end Josh Hill this summer.
With so many players out, Hill is more valuable than ever. Especially with a quarterback taking over as the offense’s leader for the first time.
At some time, Winston may hand up the starting job to Hill.
When it comes to experience as a starting quarterback, Winston clearly has the upper hand. The 2015 NFL Draft’s top overall selection spent his first five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before spending 2023 on the bench behind Brees and Hill.
Jameis Winston has a lot of potential, as shown by his 33 touchdown passes and 5,109 passing yards, which led the league in 2019. However, his 33 interceptions, a problem that has plagued him throughout his career, snuffed away any opportunity the Bucs had of winning a game that mattered.
Payton isn’t afraid to take chances; Brees has had several seasons with double-digit interceptions, including leading the league with 19 in 2012. That isn’t to say Winston won’t lose his starting position if things go south.
When the Saints take the field for the first time in Week 1, Winston will be in the driver’s seat. Hill, on the other hand, will be ready to step in if required.
Pro Football Reference provided all statistics, while Spotrac provided contract numbers.
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Quarterback is always among the toughest positions in the NFL, and the situation in New Orleans is no different. The Saints recently signed Jameis Winston to a 2 year $20 Million deal. If Winston starts in 2018, he will give the Saints their first ever 1st round pick at the position. If Winston starts in 2019, the Saints will be heading into an important offseason in which they will likely be looking to add a veteran quarterback.. Read more about saints depth chart and let us know what you think.
