Taysom Hill says goodbye to Saints after nine-year run with NFL future uncertain

Taysom Hill’s run in New Orleans is over.The longtime Saints fan-favorite announced Wednesday that he would not be returning to the franchise after nine seasons with the team, though it doesn’t appear he’s ready to hang up his cleats.“I still don’t have a clear answer about what the future holds, but I know that returning to New Orleans is not in the cards,” Hill wrote in a statement released by the Saints on social media.Hill, who joined the Saints in 2017 after being claimed off waivers in 2017, said he wanted to make sure his silence was not misinterpreted with the team’s training camp kicking off this week.“For the last nine years, New Orleans has been so much more than the city where I played.It’s where my family built a life, where our oldest son was born, and where we formed relationships and made memories that will stay with us forever,” he wrote.Hill thanked the city, along with owner Gayle Benson, his teammates and the entire Saints organization.“To the city of New Orleans: thank you.

I had always heard, “If you love New Orleans, New Orleans will love you back.” That could not have been more true.You exceeded every expectation I had of what it would be like to live and play in a city.

The passion, loyalty, and support you showed my family and me over these nine seasons were truly one of a kind.We will always be grateful for the way you embraced us both on and off the field!”He concluded the message by declaring himself “Forever a Saint.”The Saints also released a tribute video narrated by Hill’s former teammate Drew Brees, celebrating his nine-year run in New Orleans.Though he entered the league as a quarterback, Hill, who is still a free agent, developed into one of the NFL’s most unusual offensive weapons.He took snaps at quarterback, running back, tight end and wide receiver while also contributing extensively on special teams.Hill, who turns 36 in August, finished his New Orleans tenure with 2,551 rushing yards, 2...