New Orleans Saints plan to use versatile Taysom Hill primarily as tight end

The New Orleans Saints plan to use Taysom Hill primarily as a tight end instead of a quarterback going forward, new coach Dennis Allen confirmed Tuesday.

That shouldn't come as a big surprise, considering the Saints — after pursuing a trade for Deshaun Watson — just signed Jameis Winston to a two-year deal with a base value of $28 million to be their starting quarterback.

Still, it's noteworthy since Hill spent last summer in an open competition with Winston for the starting quarterback job, which won't be the case again in 2022.

«I think the role for Taysom really is going to be a lot more of the kind of F tight end, 'move' tight end type of role. I think that's the direction that we need to move with him, because I think he can be one of the better players in the league in that role,» Allen told reporters during the NFL annual meetings in Palm Beach, Florida. «So if Jameis is out there playing quarterback, I don't really like having Taysom next to me on the sideline. And so I think you'll see him more in that type of role.»

The Saints have always held that philosophy of not wanting to waste Hill's versatility on the sidelines. So they rarely used him as the designated backup quarterback on game days. Instead, they have used him in read-option packages — at the tight end, wide receiver, running back and fullback positions — and in several special teams roles.

Hill only started games at quarterback when starters Drew Brees or Winston suffered long-term injuries, so it's unclear if that could remain a possibility for the 31-year-old if a similar scenario arises going forward. But in the meantime, it sounds like the Saints' vision is to expand on Hill's other assets.

The former BYU quarterback has been one of the NFL's