Packers coaches discuss the challenges of defending Saints weapon Taysom Hill
The Green Bay Packers know Taysom Hill well. They signed him out of BYU when he turned pro so many years ago, envisioning him as a potential understudy for Aaron Rodgers; things didn’t work out, though, and the New Orleans Saints picked him up after noticing him while studying one of his teammates at the roster cuts deadline.
And the rest is history. Literally. Hill has carved out a unique role in New Orleans, becoming the first player since the 1966 NFL-AFL merger to score double-digit touchdowns as a passer (10), receiver (11), and runner (23), including the playoffs. He’s also logged 1,101 snaps on special teams and record 15 tackles in the kicking game, blocking two punts. It’s a resume not seen in decades.
He’ll have a chance to suit up against the team that first gave him a shot on Sunday, and Packers coaches are acutely aware of the challenges he’s bringing to Green Bay. They have to prepare for his package of plays well as the more-typical system the Saints run with Derek Carr under center.
“It’s two different offenses,” Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry began. “It really is, based on who’s at quarterback. They do a really great job. In essence, he’s a tight end, but they line him up at No. 1, and he runs routes like a receiver. They line him up in the backfield like a halfback. Use him in protection, but then also use him in the passing game out of the backfield. But he truly is a weapon when he’s lined up.”
Hill has gotten off to a strong start in 2023; he’s run for more yards on his own than the Minnesota Vikings have as a team through the first two weeks. Fantasy football nerds may hate it, but he adds something new to the Saints offense that opposing coaches have to account for.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur admitted as much, saying: “He’s a weapon, that’s for sure. You spend a lot of time preparing for a guy like that because he can throw it over your head. He’s done it before. He’s started games in this league at quarterback. So he’s a guy you’ve got to have a very good plan for.”
Hill is finally returning to Lambeau Field, where his NFL career began; his last two games against the Packers were in New Orleans (in 2020) and Jacksonville (in 2021, relocated due to the impacts of Hurricane Ida). The Packers have done a great job of defending him in the past, but they were gashed for 211 rushing yards just last week, so they’ve clearly got some vulnerabilities the Saints could exploit. Hill ought to be a big part of that.
