The Taysom Hill era in New Orleans is officially over, but the versatile playmaker might not have to wait long to find a new home. According to NFL Network's Steve Wyche, the Denver Broncos are interested in adding the free agent, setting up a potential reunion with his former Saints coach, Sean Payton.
Hill announced on Wednesday that he will not return to the Saints for the 2026 season, ending a nine-year stint that made him a beloved figure in the Big Easy. In a heartfelt farewell letter, he thanked the city and its fans for their unwavering support.
“I’ve taken time this offseason to think carefully about what comes next for my family and me. I still don’t have a clear answer about what the future holds, but I know that returning to New Orleans is not in the cards. As training camp begins, I didn’t want my silence to be misinterpreted, and as hard as it is to put into words, I wanted to express my gratitude,” Hill wrote.
He added: “To the city of New Orleans: thank you. I had always heard, ‘If you love New Orleans, New Orleans will love you back.’ That could not have been more true. You exceeded my every expectation I had of what it would be like to live and play in a city. The passion, loyalty and support you showed my family and me over these nine seasons were truly one of a kind. We will always be grateful for the way you embraced us both on and off the field!”
Hill's numbers with the Saints paint a picture of a unique weapon: 2,426 passing yards, 12 touchdown passes, and nine interceptions, plus 2,551 rushing yards, 1,034 receiving yards, and 45 total touchdowns. He was a Swiss Army knife who lined up at quarterback, tight end, and even running back, making him a nightmare for defensive coordinators.
Now, the Broncos appear ready to add that kind of versatility to their offense. Wyche reported that Payton told him and Cynthia Frelund that Denver will explore bringing in Hill, a move that makes perfect sense given their history.
Payton has long admired Hill's athleticism, even comparing him to Hall of Famer Steve Young back in 2019. “If you look back at Steve’s career, people don’t remember the time before he came to the NFL, you have a very athletic player that, I think, advanced when he got to San Francisco,” Payton said via NOLA.com. “He always had great ability with his legs, so you’re trying to create visions for players, and that’s no different than how you’d evaluate how we see Teddy Bridgewater progressing and what we think he can be. That’s the business we’re in.”
Payton's vision for Hill was always about maximizing his unique talents, and that hasn't changed. The question now is whether he's willing to give Hill meaningful snaps at the expense of rising star Bo Nix. With Hill's ability to contribute in multiple phases, it's a calculus that could pay off for Denver.
Hill's departure from New Orleans is a bittersweet moment for Saints fans, who watched him become a fan favorite with his relentless effort and big-play ability. But as one door closes, another opens, and the offseason drama continues to unfold.
For a player who has always thrived on doing things differently, a move to the Mile High City could be the perfect next chapter. Only time will tell if Payton and the Broncos can make it happen.
