New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has officially announced he will be back for the 2020 NFL season. This means backup quarterback Taysom Hill will be relegated to his duties primarily as a utility weapon for another year.
Hill's future is still uncertain as he gets set to test the market as a restricted free agent this offseason. He made it clear during an appearance on Adam Schefter’s podcast that he does not mind having the opportunity to learn behind Brees:
“At the end of the day, I look at Drew coming back and maybe I’m not playing quarterback, which is ultimately where I want to have an opportunity to play in the NFL,” Hill said. “but there are still going to be opportunities for me to make plays. I can tell you a unique experience for me that most backup quarterbacks don’t get is I’m in the huddle with Drew on game day. . . . That to me is invaluable.”
There has been plenty of speculation regarding the Saints' plans for Hill as a long-term option under center since they have fully embraced the notion of Brees playing for as long as he wants. Fortunately, his comments indicate that he is happy with the chance to contribute to this high-powered offense while fine-tuning his development as a quarterback.
Hill has long established himself as one of the most versatile weapons in the NFL, however, he enjoyed quite the breakout 2019 campaign. This will likely result in an increased role that may even include more action under center.
Regardless, Hill is still looking forward to the day that he can prove himself as a starter. While the Saints are in a position to secure his services for at least another year, this could only drive up the price tag for him down the road.