Former BYU Football star Taysom Hill has a shot to become the primary backup in New Orleans, and he’s looking good during offseason practices.
The New Orleans Saints may solve their backup quarterback situation by promoting from within.
Taysom Hill is getting a good share of the second team reps in New Orleans’ Organized Team Activities:
Payton: Taysom Hill is getting a lot more valuable snaps at QB now. Hes getting true snaps with the 2s
— Steve Geller (@SteveGellerWWL) May 24, 2018
And if at least one media member, Sean Fazende of Fox 8 New Orleans, can be believed, he’s looked impressive in the OTAs so far:
IMO one player that stood out today was Taysom Hill.
— Sean FazendeFOX8 (@SeanFazendeFOX8) May 24, 2018
Last year, the Saints signed Hill as the third-string quarterback, and he also saw the field in the second-half of the season with the special teams unit.
There’s no guarantee that he enters the season as the backup. New Orleans signed Tom Savage during the offseason. Savage spent the last four seasons in Houston, starting seven games for the Texans in 2017.
Savage replaces Chase Daniel, who signed this offseason with Chicago. In five total years with the Saints, Daniel never started a game, mainly due to Drew Brees’ excellent health.
If Hill beats out Savage for the backup spot, his days on special teams are likely over. The Saints won’t risk losing their replacement for Drew Brees to injury.
Saints Head Coach Sean Payton has said before that he thinks Hill can be the quarterback of the future in New Orleans, and he’s liked Hill’s performance so far this season:
“We like where he’s at, he’s grinding and working hard....when he does get outside the pocket, he can run real fast. That presents a new challenge to the defense.”
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 24, 2018
Coach @SeanPayton on progression of @T_Hill4
The OTAs will run for the next two weeks, and then the Saints will have their minicamp from June 12-14. Between Savage and Hill, whichever quarterback performs best over then next month will gain a huge advantage in winning the backup spot for the 2018 season.