Report: Taysom Hill To Get First Career Start At QB For Saints Against Falcons

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana – The Taysom Hill era has reportedly arrived. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Friday that Hill, not Jameis Winston, will start at quarterback, replacing the injured Drew Brees on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

Saints’ QB Taysom Hill will start Sunday vs. the Falcons, per source. Hill took all the starter reps at practice this week. Jameis Winston will be the backup.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 20, 2020

This will be Taysom Hill’s first career NFL start at quarterback.

Taysom Hill is “the guy”

For months there has been speculation about who could be the next quarterback for the Saints after future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees retires from the league. Many have indicated that Taysom Hill is “the guy” who Saints head coach Sean Payton will turn to after Brees retires.

This move to choose Taysom Hill over Jameis Winston sheds light on how Payton and the Saints view the former BYU star signal-caller.

Jameis Winston will not be part of any offensive packages Sunday vs. the Falcons, per @diannaESPN. The Saints’ QB now is Taysom Hill.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 20, 2020

Throughout the 2020 season, Hill has been listed as the Saints No. 2 QB. Last week, in the Saints win over the 49ers, Hill didn’t step in for the injured Brees; it was Jameis Winston. But that was largely due to Hill having all of his game week reps in his utility role known as the “F Position” in the Saints offense. While Winston, a former No. 1 overall pick, was taking second-string reps.

This week, Hill has been taking all the first-team snaps in practice. Winston will not be part of any offensive packages, according to Schefter.

Former BYU QBs starting in the NFL

Hill is the first former BYU quarterback to start at QB in the NFL since John Beck with the Washington Football Team in 2011.

Last time a former #BYU QB started a game at QB in the NFL was John Beck in 2011 with the Washington Football Team.

Taysom’s first start at QB is coming up this Sunday.#BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 20, 2020

An undrafted free agent in 2017, Hill originally signed with the Green Bay Packers, then was waived by the Pack. Hill then was picked up off waivers by Payton and the Saints and has been in the Big Easy ever since. This past spring, Hill signed a $21 million contract extension during free agency.

In 46 career games played, Hill has thrown 18 pass attempts in NFL regular-season games, completing 10 of those attempts for 205 yards.

Saints vs. Falcons

Sunday, November 22nd, 2020

Kickoff: 11 a.m.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m., KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper and the KSL Sports app.