‘Swiss Army Knife’ Taysom Hill not returning to New Orleans Saints

Taysom Hill, an omnipresent, multi-dimensional offensive weapon during his nine-year run with the New Orleans Saints, bid farewell to the city in a social media post Wednesday.

With Hill still a free agent as training camps opened around the league ahead of the 2026 season, the Saints posted a statement on X from Hill announcing that he would not be returning to the team. After expressing his gratitude to the city where he started his family, Hill, 35, was vague about what his future holds. Whether he retires or continues playing, his time with the Saints appears to be over.

“I’ve taken some time this offseason to think carefully about what comes next for my family and me,” the statement read. “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.”

A statement from Taysom Hill: pic.twitter.com/kSniFTwVW1

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 29, 2026

Hill was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers in May 2017 as an undrafted free agent quarterback out of BYU. He was cut during final roster reductions that preseason and was signed by the Saints in September 2017, where he remained through the 2025 season.

And he played everywhere in New Orleans.

Under the ingenuity of then-Saints head coach Sean Payton, Hill became a Swiss Army knife, taking snaps at a litany of positions over his nine seasons. In 2018 alone, Hill logged snaps at seven positions, according to Pro Football Focus: 64 at quarterback, 62 at tight end, 43 at wide receiver, 28 in the slot, 13 at halfback/fullback, 199 on kickoff coverage and returns, and 69 on field goal block. He had 64 snaps categorized as “miscellaneous.”

In 2019, he caught six touchdown passes on just 19 receptions. He rushed for eight touchdowns in 2020 and seven more in 2022.

The 6-foot-2, 221-pounder threw for 2,426 yards and 12 touchdowns during his career. He added 2,551 rushing yards and 34 rushing touchdowns, along with 1,034 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns.

He is the only player in the Super Bowl era to surpass 1,000 career yards passing, rushing and receiving.

For good measure, he also totaled 489 yards on kickoff returns and blocked two punts.

“A Swiss Army Knife isn’t built for just one job,” said legendary Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who played with Hill from 2017-20, in a farewell video posted by the franchise. “It adapts. It endures. That’s Taysom Hill.

“… When we needed more, he gave us everything. Because that’s what it means to be a Saint in New Orleans. We adapt. We endure. No shortcuts. No excuses. All heart and soul.”

The Saints made the playoffs in each of Hill’s first four seasons before Brees’ retirement following the 2020 season, but have not returned since.

“Taysom’s career to this point as a member of the Saints organization has been remarkable in all facets,” Saints executive vice president/general manager Mickey Loomis said in a statement Wednesday. “His intelligence, unique athletic ability, versatility and unselfishness have benefited this team in many facets for the past nine seasons.

“Additionally, he’s been a great teammate and excellent leader and mentor. We thank Taysom for all his great contributions, and we are positive that a day will come when all of his accomplishments can be properly celebrated.”

In his note, Hill thanked Saints owner Gayle Benson, his teammates and the entire organization for making him a better player and a better person. He also thanked the city of New Orleans, citing the saying, “If you love New Orleans, New Orleans will love you back,” before praising the support fans showed his family.

Last season, Hill recorded one rushing touchdown and did not catch a touchdown pass. His contract expired, and the Saints did not re-sign him, making him an unrestricted free agent.

“I’m still working through what comes next, but I couldn’t move forward without taking the time to say thank you,” Hill wrote. “New Orleans, you will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we will always be cheering you on.”