The New Orleans Saints have exceeded expectations in the post-Drew Brees NFL world, rolling with a combination of Jameis Winston and Trevor Siemian en route to a 5-4 record. Siemian and gadget player Taysom Hill were tabbed as potential starters once Winston went down with a season-ending injury, but Saints head coach Sean Payton opted for the signal-caller with more starting experience in the NFL- Siemian.

Siemian has acquitted himself fairly well as the starter for the Saints, but the team has gone winless in the two games started by the former Denver Broncos signal-caller, excluding their victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when Winston was injured. As Taysom Hill proved in his short time as the starter in 2020, he gives the Saints the best chance to win. The Saints should start Hill over Siemian for the following two reasons.

Hill Would Make The Saints Run Game More Efficient

The Saints have become a run-first team with Drew Brees retired from the NFL. New Orleans ranks sixth in the NFL in rushing attempts per game, per Team Rankings, yet they rank just 12th in team rushing yards per contest, via ESPN. The two strengths of this team have proven to be their run game and defense, which has been one of the stronger units in the league.

Taysom Hill would help the Saints maximize their efficiency at running the ball. In four starts for the Saints last season, Hill carried the ball 39 times for 209 rushing yards, a 5.3 yards per carry clip, while adding four scores on the ground. Having Hill as the starter over Siemian, who is almost no threat to take off and run, would add a whole other dimension of unpredictability to the Saints offense. Saints head coach Sean Payton could have a field day running the read-option with Hill and talented halfback Alvin Kamara.

It could help the Saints have one of the best rushing offenses in the NFL.

Hill Could Help Saints Match Up Better With Other Contenders

Payton, an adept play-caller, could scheme up plenty of read option plays involving Hill, Kamara, and fan favorite Mark Ingram II. The Saints have the potential to run an offense similar to ones utilized by the Baltimore Ravens or Philadelphia Eagles, teams that deploy duel-threat quarterbacks such as Hill.

Let's face it. The Saints aren't going to beat Super-Bowl contenders such as the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or Dallas Cowboys by getting into high-scoring, punch-for-punch games with them. Their best chance to take down these NFL heavyweights is by running the ball, controlling the clock and letting their defense get after the opposing quarterback.

Hill, who went 3-1 as the starter in 2020, gives the Saints a better chance at winning big games against NFL contenders.

It's certainly a bold move to make a change at quarterback this late in the season, especially given how Payton has publicly back Siemian as his starter. Hill is also still unproven as a passer in the NFL. However, such a bold move could help the Saints make the most of their first season without Drew Brees.

It could help the Saints become legitimate contenders in the NFC.