World News – AU – QB Taysom Hill hasn’t done enough to secure the future with the New Orleans Saints

Taysom Hill can become a specialty NFL quarterback as he shows lightning bolts in and out of his pocket with his arms and legs. But despite leading the New Orleans Saints to a 3-1 record as a starter, he hasn’t entirely cemented a future with the franchise due to gaps in his game and competition.

Hill has only started four games as the primary caller, so it needs time to develop and clean up some areas. However, his audition window has reportedly closed as the Saints plan to start Drew Brees on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Brees sustained a lung injury and broke several ribs. He has now missed at least four competitions in consecutive campaigns. After the 2019 season, the 41-year-old needed a longer time before deciding on another season. With these factors in mind, the Saints need to ponder their long-term plan at Quarterback, which sheds a bright light on Hill.

After week 14, head coach Sean Payton didn’t seem ready to hand the offense over to Hill on a long-term basis.

During a discussion with NFL Network’s Jim Trotter for his Huddle and Flow podcast, Payton shed light on the quarterback situation:

Interesting comment from Payton to Jameis: « He will have this opportunity (to start in New Orleans) as soon as Drew leaves. Said Taysom would have the same. The expectation is that this will likely be Brees’ final season.

Not only is Payton expecting Brees to retire during the off-season, but he also left the door open for Hill and Jameis Winston to raise some eyebrows at the off-season moves by the team.

In April, Saints Winston signed a one-year award for $ 1. 1 million contract and gave Hill $ 16 million in renewal guarantees to keep him on the books through the 2021 campaign. Although the former took over for Brees in the second half of a week 10 competition with the San Francisco 49ers, the latter rose to the starting role.

Obviously, the Saints wanted to give Hill the opportunity to show that he is the long-term answer after Brees. However, based on Payton’s comments on Trotter, Hill did not put his name on future depth maps. In fact, New Orleans will consider re-signing Winston for a possible battle at the training camp.

Last week, Payton reiterated that the team has an internal heir to Brees, according to Katherine Terrell of The Athletic.

« I’ve said this a couple of times, we have a feeling Drew’s replacement is in the building, » Payton said.

The Saints should consider the future of the position in a fluid way because although Hill was good enough to lead his squad to victory in three games against Sub-. 500 opponents left a lot to be desired in his game. After a 24:21 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Payton praised and criticized the quarterback game on Trotters Podcast:

« . . . I think his pocket pass has improved and it’s good to see his speed and some of his decisions, « said Payton. « I think it has to be faster. I still think he needs to process it faster. And because of that, you see a bit more in the sack and rush quarterback sums, even though he can run. « 

In four starts, Hill has taken 13 bags and lost three of his six fumbles. To some extent, Payton put this on his inability to make quick decisions in his pocket.

Payton also expressed concern about Hill’s instincts in his pocket, according to ESPN’s Mike Triplett: « I mean there is a clock in your head regarding depth and distance. And usually on your normal early downs pretty soon you get a sense of when your time is up and you’re leaving or when you’re sticking to the reading. « 

Hill called the balance between his propensity to run and a shot in the field « work in progress ». « 

Nobody expects him to stand in for Brees and look like a nifty passerby in some games, but his shortcomings could lead him to the bench. Because of these weak points, the offensive linemen have to hold their blocks a little longer, past windows that close the field and the saints leave yards and points on the field.

Hill didn’t throw a touchdown pass in his first two starts, but scored four quick touchdowns, despite having scored two points in each of the last two games.

The list of Saints in the lower half of the league for 2021 projected space per Spotrac, so they would likely focus on drafting rather than free agency for outside competitions. At the end of the first round, Florida’s Kyle Trask or Alabama’s Mac Jones could become options to join Hill and Winston in a full-blown battle.

Regardless, Payton on Hill is not fully sold. As a 30-year-old who will make mistakes due to inexperience, he is unlikely to secure a potential starting position in some games anyway.

Winston, the No.. 1 total selection from the 2015 class, has the family tree draft and five years of starting experience to fascinate the saints’ front office. He is also four years younger than Hill.

While Hill was a solid backup, Winston lurks as a potential wildcard challenger for the first-string role. Once the season ends, Payton and the Front Office will likely have to answer key quarterback questions for 2021 and beyond.

New Orleans Saints, Drew Brees, Taysom Hill, Sean Payton, NFL, Kansas City Chiefs, Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles