The New Orleans Saints have a question still in front of them this offseason.
There was plenty of questions facing the team heading into the offseason. New Orleans actually minimized turnover despite a questionable-at-best cap situation. There was a time when a good chunk of the speculation revolved around the possibility of the team cutting ties with a handful of high-priced guys.
One player that was mentioned was do-it-all tight end Taysom Hill. He has spent his entire eight-year National Football League career with the Saints and is one his last year of a four-year, $40 million deal.
He only was able to appear in eight games last season with the Saints after he suffered a season-ending torn ACL. As of this moment, it's unclear how much time he could miss in 2025, if any. But, general manager Mickey Loomis recently gave an update about him, as transcribed by Saints Wire's John Sigler.
"New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis didn't divulge a lot of information in the team's pre and post-draft press conferences, but one brief comment stood out after we went and listened to it again. When asked about star tight end/quarterback/wide receiver/fullback/special teams ace Taysom Hill, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear last December, Loomis spoke with a bit of an ominous tone about the 34-year old pro. Well, look, he had a serious knee injury, so it's gonna be a while,' Loomis said.
"Hill's salary cap hit remains second-highest on the team, at $17,986,500, only trailing behind Derek Carr ($20,462,000)...This is also the last year of his contract. If Hill intends on playing out this deal as written, it would cost the Saints an extra $10 million to keep him than cut him. There's nothing to be done about that $9.7 million salary cap hit in 2026, which will come due whether or not he's on the team this season. Restructuring him, which the Saints could have done at any point, would only reduce his 2025 cap hit to about $12.2 million while raising the dead money owed next year to as much as $16.7 million. That's not insignificant no matter how high the salary cap rises."
It sounds like the Saints are at a crossroads when it comes to Hill’s future with the team. His versatility has made him a unique asset, but with his hefty cap hit and uncertain recovery timeline, the team has some tough decisions ahead.
Beyond just Hill’s situation, New Orleans will have to consider how his absence—or eventual return—affects the rest of the roster. Will they lean more heavily on other tight ends and special teams players to fill the gaps? Or could this signal a larger shift in offensive strategy? Head coach Kellen Moore and the front office may need to weigh whether keeping Hill at his current price tag is worth the financial squeeze, especially considering the lingering cap concerns.
Additionally, the Saints’ offseason moves, including potential free-agent signings or draft selections, may offer more clarity on their plans. If they bring in additional depth at tight end or other positions Hill excels in, it could be a hint that they’re preparing for life without him.
Whatever the decision, Hill’s fate will be one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Saints as they prepare for the upcoming season. How they navigate his contract situation, roster impact, and injury recovery will be crucial in determining their success in 2025.
