A Sean Payton favorite is on the open market

Ever since Sean Payton got to Denver, folks have wondered about the former New Orleans Saints head coach bringing one of his favorite gadgets to the Broncos. Well, the path may be cleared for that to happen now — Taysom Hill’s time in the bayou is over.

Hill confirmed it himself on Wednesday, releasing a statement on the first day of Saints training camp that his nine-year run in New Orleans is done. “I’ve taken time this offseason to think carefully about what comes next for my family and me,” Hill wrote. “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.”

The Saints wasted no time. They’ve already reassigned Hill’s No. 7 jersey to backup quarterback Hunter Dekkers. Drew Brees narrated a tribute video.

But here’s the part Broncos fans should circle: Hill has not retired. He is a free agent. And you know who has his number and loved to call it on the field in the past?

Denver Sports has been on this story for a while now. Last offseason, we explored the possibility of a Hill-Payton recoupling after it became clear the Saints would move on. Then midway through 2025, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell drew up a trade proposal to reunite the two — the Broncos sending a 2028 sixth-round pick to New Orleans for Hill and a seventh-rounder back. That deal never materialized, but the connection is still there.

The Denver Post flat-out predicted it earlier this month: Hill ends up in orange and blue at some point this season. The Post’s Luca Evans wrote, “At least one interesting name seems to find its way into Payton’s locker room every season with depth necessities, though. Remember Marcedes Lewis last year? … I’m just thinking it’ll happen.”

So what would the Broncos be getting at this point?

The only player in the Super Bowl era with 1,000-plus career passing, rushing and receiving yards. More than 5,500 yards from scrimmage. Over 60 total touchdowns — 34 receiving, 11 rushing, 11 passing. The Joker or Jokers at his peak under Payton in New Orleans, was among the NFL’s most efficient offensive weapons. His career success rate of 58.5% ranks 10th among 136 players with at least 350 total touches since 2018.

Now for the caveats. Hill turns 36 in late August. He tore his ACL late in 2024, and while he returned for 13 games in 2025, the production wasn’t there — 52 carries for 114 yards (2.2 yards per attempt) and just 11 catches for 91 yards. He averaged 3.3 yards per offensive touch.

He also flashed in spots, though. In the Saints’ home finale, Hill ran for 42 yards on 12 carries, hauled in four catches for 36 yards and threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Chris Olave.

The other wrinkle: Payton isn’t calling plays anymore. He handed the offensive keys to coordinator Davis Webb this offseason. Hill’s unique skill set was largely a Payton creation — Webb may not scheme the same way, and Payton may not force Hill into a system that doesn’t want him just because of their personal history.

But if there’s one thing we know about Payton, it’s that he loves his guys. And Taysom Hill is his guy. The man signed Hill out of BYU, turned an undrafted free agent into a $40 million player and deployed him in ways no other coach in the NFL would’ve dreamed up.

At this stage, it wouldn’t cost Denver much. And if Hill’s got anything left in those legs, even 10-15 snaps a game in short-yardage, red-zone and gadget packages could be the kind of wrinkle that makes a difference for a Broncos team that has been looking for versatile help at the tight end spot for years.

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