New Orleans Saints sign Taysom Hill to odd contract extension

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the New Orleans Saints have given a fresh contract to utility player Taysom Hill. However, it’s a deal that is a bit confusing when looking at it.

Schefter says Hill will sign a “unique four-year, hybrid-type of contract extension” worth anywhere between $40 million and $95 million. How much money is earned is based on which position he plays for the Saints.

Something that is known is Hill’s guaranteed money, which will be at $22.5 million. Everything else will be determined if Hill is named the starting quarterback over the length of the contract.

In a follow-up tweet, Schefter says Hill will be paid “$40 million base salary for the role that he’s currently playing, and up to an additional $55 million if he does become the Saints’ starting QB for the next four seasons.” Quarterback Jameis Winston, who has been the starting quarterback when healthy, signed a one-year deal this offseason.

Co-Founder/Editor of Spotrac Michael Ginnitti cleared up how the contract benefits New Orleans from a dead cap perspective.

“Translation: The Saints didn’t want to take an automatic $8.9M dead cap hit when Hill’s current contract automatically voided, so they extend him to essentially two more years of his current pay to keep the active & dead cap spread out, while keeping a valuable player in tow,” Ginnitti said.

Hill has only appeared in seven games this season for the Saints. He’s only played 50% or more of the offensive snaps twice this season against the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. His role within special teams has dropped as well, only getting 27 total snaps.

From a stats perspective, Hill has 20 rushing attempts for 104 yards and three touchdowns. Playing tight end every once in a while, the former BYU quarterback has four catches for 52 yards. He’s only dropped back to throw the ball eight times, completing seven for 56 yards and an interception.