Saints’ next QB? Taysom Hill leads odds on 21 names

Taysom Hill watched in street clothes as Drew Brees struggled in the New Orleans Saints’ loss in the Divisional Playoffs on Sunday.

Brees gave a quick look back at the field at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome before heading into the tunnel, and likely into retirement.

Hill? His status as the heir apparent is uncertain after an up-and-down showing in four starts while Brees was injured during the regular season.

The 30-year-old is still under contract for one more season and did complete 72.7 percent of his passes for 928 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in 16 games. Hill did not play in the playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a knee injury, and not having his multi-dimensional skillset available did impact coach Sean Payton’s playbook.

Hill has been installed as the 5/2 favorite to take the first snap at quarterback for the Saints in Week 1 by SportsBetting.com.

The list of other candidates is deep and extremely varied.

Matthew Stafford is still under contract with the Lions, but there is speculation the veteran may ask for a fresh start elsewhere. He is being offered at 4/1 to land in New Orleans, followed by Jameis Winston (5/1), who is a free agent after playing as a backup in 2020 with the Saints.

A number of other veteran quarterbacks are expected to be available this offseason, and the Saints could be an appealing destination as an established contender with a number of offensive weapons.

Or does New Orleans double down on Hill for 2021 and look to the draft for a long-term answer for Payton to groom?

Saints Next Quarterback Odds (SportsBetting.com):
Taysom Hill 5/2
Matthew Stafford 4/1
Jameis Winston 5/1
Philip Rivers 6/1
Carson Wentz 10/1
Jimmy Garropolo 11/1
Alex Smith 13/1
Deshaun Watson 16/1
Andy Dalton 20/1
Taylor Heinicke 20/1
Ryan Fitzpatrick 22/1
Teddy Bridgewater 22/1
Jacoby Brissett 25/1
Marcus Mariota 25/1
Sam Darnold 25/1
Drew Lock 25/1
Cam Newton 30/1
Jared Goff 30/1
Mitchell Trubisky 40/1
Matt Ryan 50/1
Ben Roethlisberger 50/1

–Field Level Media