Saints leader feels team is less 'abnormal' than in recent past

The veteran Swiss Army knife was, as expected, not used as a long-term option at quarterback last season. Instead, he transitioned to more of a hybrid tight end role – albeit one which involved only nine receptions on 13 targets. Hill’s most effective usage was on the ground, as usual. The 32-year-old registered 575 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on a career-high 96 carries. More of the same in that regard is expected heading into the coming campaign.

“I feel like we’re starting to figure out what is normal again,” Hill said, via John DeShazler of the team’s website. “I felt like ’20 and ’21 were so abnormal that I don’t know what that is now. We’ve had a lot of change here the last few years, and I feel like being here the last few days with the guys and the team, I feel like everyone is gelling really well… I think we’re trying to find this happy medium and happy balance of like, hey, let’s be realistic with what we’re going to ask you do to this season and make sure that you’re getting the time and the reps on those things.”

The Saints have Carr on the books through 2026 after making a splash in free agency to acquire him in March. The team retained Jameis Winston as well. With those two comfortably atop the QB depth chart, Hill and the team’s coaching staff can turn their attention to his usage as a rusher and pass-catcher. More emphasis in the latter department would suit Hill as he looks to keep adapting his game, though.

“I think that’s kind of stuff that hasn’t been explored a ton with me here,” he noted. “I think running routes and catching balls, that was a foreign thing for me and I also think because of that, we haven’t done a ton of it and I think there’s some opportunities there that we just haven’t explored yet. As I look at next season, I think the hope and the expectation is that that expands a little bit.”

New Orleans has a crowded TE room with Foster Moreau and Juwan Johnson each set to take up significant snaps and targets. Hill will compete with those two for playing time in a pass-catching role during training camp, but his abilities on the ground and on special teams figure to allow him to remain a key player in the Saints’ overall success. Hill's restructured contract runs through 2025, so he should be in place in his current role for years to come.