Taysom Hill Contract: New Orleans Saints Paying Quarterback A Starter's Salary

Taysom Hill is expected to be the New Orleans Saints starting quarterback Sunday, replacing the injured Drew Brees. The move only makes sense when you consider what the team is paying Hill for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Hill signed a contract extension in the offseason worth $21 million over two years. The deal includes $16 million guaranteed for the 30-year-old utility player, who has never been an NFL starting quarterback.

Backup Jameis Winston took over for Brees in the second half of last week’s game when the future Hall of Famer left the contest with broken ribs and a collapsed lung. Winston was expected to start Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, but instead Hill will get the nod, NFL Network reported Friday morning.

The #Saints gave a 2-year, $21M contract this offseason, with eyes on him being the future at QB in New Orleans. On Sunday, he’ll get a chance to prove it. Taysom Hill expected to start after working as the starter in practice all week. https://t.co/2NQ9J8xDBE
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 20, 2020

Brees is 41 years old and potentially in his final NFL season. The Saints gave Hill a lucrative extension in the summer with hopes that he could eventually become the franchise quarterback.

Based on his average yearly salary, Hill is being paid like a starting quarterback.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback and 2020's No. 1 draft pick Joe Burrow, for instance, makes an average of $9 million per season. Burrow is the 22nd-highest-paid signal caller in a league of 32 teams, according to Spotrac, and he makes less than Hill.

Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Cam Newton are among the other current starters who don’t make as much money as Hill.

Winston signed a one-year contract with the Saints this past offseason. The deal is worth only $1.1 million.

In the final season of a two-year, $30 million contract, Jacoby Brissett is the only backup quarterback who earns more than Hill. Brissett was the Indianapolis Colts’ starter last season before being replaced by Philip Rivers this year.

Hill has played in all nine of New Orleans’ games this season, though he’s only attempted five passes. Hill has 34 rushes for 186 yards and a touchdown, as well as six receptions for 74 yards and a score.

Winston completed six of 10 passes in the second half of the Saints’ Week 11 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Hill ran eight times for 45 yards and didn’t have a single pass attempt.