There aren’t many players in the NFL who offer more versatility than TE Taysom Hill. The New Orleans Saints‘ offensive weapon has been used all over the offense since he signed with the team in 2017.
Under former Saints HC Sean Payton, Hill signed an unbelievably unique and complex contract in the “Big Easy.” Let’s break down his current contact.
Taysom Hill’s Contract
Hill and the Saints agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension in 2021. Over the Cap reports that the contract is worth $40 million over four years, but there’s a catch.
The contract only stands if he is used as a backup quarterback or as an offensive weapon that also sees him play tight end, running back, and wide receiver.
If at any point during the contract, Hill is to become New Orleans’ starting QB, then the contract value skyrockets. The contract would then be worth $95 million over the four-year term.
The escalation in the salary value increases if Hill fulfills these objectives on more than 224 passing attempts:
- 70% snaps + 11 team wins: $750,000
- 70% snaps + 12 team wins: $1 million
- 70% snaps + 13 team wins: $1.25 million
- 600 rushing yards: $500,000
- Pro Bowl: $500,000
- If in the Conference Championship: 50% snaps + 10 pass attempts + 10 pass yards = $750,000; 50% snaps + 10 pass attempts + 10 pass yards + team win = $750,000
- If in the Super Bowl: 50% snaps + 10 pass attempts + 10 pass yards = $1 million; 50% snaps + 10 pass attempts + 10 pass yards + team win = $1.5 million
As it stands, the $40 million value is the correct one, with Derek Carr being the starting QB for the Saints. However, the intricacies and details in Hill’s contract are extremely complex.
Hill’s contract includes $21.5 million in guaranteed money, as reported by Spotrac, and the team pays him an average of $10 million per year. Due to the structuring of the contract, in 2023, Hill will earn a base salary of just over $1 million with a bonus of $8.8 million. That is fully guaranteed.
If the Saints were to cut Hill in 2023, he would carry a dead cap hit of $23.7 million. However, there is a potential out in his contract ahead of the 2024 season.
Ahead of the 2024 season, $1.5 million of Hill’s salary will become guaranteed if he’s on the roster on the third day of the new league year.
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There are also plenty of incentives included in Hill’s contract. Between 2022 and 2025, these incentives are in play.
- More than 3,250 passing yards: $500,00
- More than 4,000 passing yards: $500,000
- 90-plus passer rating (224 attempts): $500,000
- 25-plus pass TDs: $750,000
- 30-plus pass TDs: $1.25 million
- 65% completions (224 attempts): $1 million
Hill’s contract has been structured so carefully that he has two void years at the end of his contract, which means he will carry a dead cap hit of $5.3 million in 2025.
The size of this deal was pointed out by Kate Magdziuk, who reported that Hill made $32.77 million in his first six NFL seasons. That’s the same number that Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson made in his first five seasons.
Considering one was drafted in the first round and the other was a UDFA, that is a staggering comparison.
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