Texas — As Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy considers how his team will defend the New Orleans Saints’ most versatile offensive player Sunday, he might let his mind wander back to 2017.
That year, as coach of the Green Bay Packers, McCarthy noticed a standout undrafted quarterback at training camp. And he wanted to keep that rookie, Taysom Hill, on the practice squad.
Seven years later, Hill’s an established member of the Saints and owns a reputation as perhaps the NFL’s most unique playmaker. Hill has played quarterback for the Saints at times, but he more often lines up in the backfield, as a tight end or split out wide, like a receiver.
He’s thrown for 2,348 passing yards and 11 touchdowns in his career. He’s also amassed 2,194 yards and 27 touchdowns on the ground with 77 receptions for 757 yards.
“The more value that you can add, obviously your job security can go a little long,” McCarthy said. “He’s a weapon. He does a lot of things. He’s a bigger man than I had him in training camp. Like I said, I thought he was a very good, young quarterback prospect.”
Hill signed with the Packers in 2017 after going undrafted out of BYU and impressed throughout the offseason, according to McCarthy. Though Hill’s age might’ve played a part in teams opting not to draft him — he turned 27 the August of his rookie year — McCarthy said the quarterback’s maturity and NFL potential came across during an impressive training camp.
Ultimately, after roster cuts, Green Bay kept star Aaron Rodgers and backup Brett Hundley as the only signal-callers on the 53-man roster.
“We thought he was a hell of a quarterback,” McCarthy said of Hill. “Every year when you sit down at the end of training camp — I know it’s the way I’ve done it — you have 58, 59, 60, there’s different numbers each year, of players you feel like really earned the opportunity to be on the 53. He was one of those guys. He clearly played well.”
The Packers hoped to slide Hill onto the practice squad, but “that lasted about two minutes.”
The Saints signed Hill shortly after the Packers cut him, and he’s been in New Orleans since. During a blowout win over the Panthers in Week 1, Hill ran five times for 35 yards, including four first downs. He also caught a pass for 1 yard.
And when the Saints visit the Cowboys on Sunday in Dallas’ home opener, Hill will aim to continue his success against his first NFL coach.
“His career, what he’s done,” McCarthy said, “it’s been awesome to watch from afar.”