Question What More Must Taysom Hill Do Before He Retires To Be Considered An NFL Hall Of Fame Player? (2 Viewers)

[44slayer]

I appreciate the layout of his case. It's interesting for sure.

But he isn't sniffing the HoF. Or even close. He might make an initial list, but he wont get past the cut down to 50.

You look at the 2025 nominations, there were 167, and there's some names on there that just don't cut HoF mustard or even remotely close (Chris Warren, Thomas Jones, Muhsin Muhammed, etc). And not to take away from those guys as they were all solid, none of them get a 2nd look when the cut down to 50 happens. I can certainly see Taysom Hill in the initial group at some point.

But for actual serious consideration, 3 things will make him a no go. 1) He should've ditched the QB ruse sooner and embraced what he is 2) He hasn't played enough, and doesnt have A season (much less multiple) where he stayed healthy and played enough to be a serious contender and 3) His rookie season was at age 27.

Now #2, maybe he does enough things that no one else does that it can cover up his oft injured status. But his only path to the Hall would've been if he was doing what he is doing this year, a bit healthier, and when he was much younger.

But, the NFL records are just a product of him doing things no one is doing. Which would've have been his case for the Hall if he met at least 2 of the 3 things I listed as his detractors. Hasn't done it enough, and long enough.

I do like the NFL records: 1st NFL player to score a rushing touchdown from the right hash at the 14 yard line on a Thursday after completing 3 cartwheels on a Tuesday following a win against the Panthers before Thanksgiving in a leap year.

 

[sfidc3]

Forgive me for my cynicism, but Rickey Jackson was ranked in the top 10 amongst NFL defensive players all-time when he finally retired for good in 1997 preseason and yet he still had to wait for a dozen years until his achievements and career success was finally acknowledged (Saints having a SB run in 2009 helped I'm sure). Sam Mills was one of the most dominant, well-liked, effective run-stopping MLB's during his career and yet it took over 20 years, nearly 15 years after his sad, tragically-early death in 2005 for him to be inducted.

Above is the reason, long ago I could never take the NFL HOF seriously.....it's probably as much about who a player played for as what the player actually accomplished individually......If Rickey played for the Giants, the Cowboys, the 9ers? First ballot HOFer that is considered one of the greatest at his position in history.......Also Sam Mills was ever bit as good and maybe better than Mike Singletary.....

While I would stop short of calling the HOF an absolute joke, it's closer to that then fair IMO.....

 

[AARPSaint]

All comparisons to TH are essentially irrelevant because no previous NFL player has excelled at so many different positions. What this means in terms of HoF chances is unknown. There have been zero players who did what TH is doing. So how do we make comparisons?

It’s a bit like a realtor trying to price a house. Not in the business, but I know they do “comps.” But what if the house in question is unique within the area? And let’s say said property hasn’t sold in many years. Very difficult to price it because the data is so scanty. And that is what we have in Taysom Hill: a unique situation.

 

[SaintsSpringBayou]

Personally, I think he has done enough to make it. How long it will take depends on the pageantry of the NFL.
No one in the modern NFL has done anything close to what he's done and broke the records while doing it.
He has a portfolio of an entire NFL team wrapped up in one person and the kicker is, he's pretty good at it, all of it. And the other kicker is - he can probably be a kicker.
Taysom's position is Football Player. An anomaly. I'm not sure if we'll ever see this kinda thing again.
Sure, there will be some who come close, but most won't even make it 2 years trying to do what he does.
We're blessed to have such a thing. Enjoy it.

 

[tinman]

I appreciate the layout of his case. It's interesting for sure.

But he isn't sniffing the HoF. Or even close. He might make an initial list, but he wont get past the cut down to 50.

You look at the 2025 nominations, there were 167, and there's some names on there that just don't cut HoF mustard or even remotely close (Chris Warren, Thomas Jones, Muhsin Muhammed, etc). And not to take away from those guys as they were all solid, none of them get a 2nd look when the cut down to 50 happens. I can certainly see Taysom Hill in the initial group at some point.

But for actual serious consideration, 3 things will make him a no go. 1) He should've ditched the QB ruse sooner and embraced what he is 2) He hasn't played enough, and doesnt have A season (much less multiple) where he stayed healthy and played enough to be a serious contender and 3) His rookie season was at age 27.

Now #2, maybe he does enough things that no one else does that it can cover up his oft injured status. But his only path to the Hall would've been if he was doing what he is doing this year, a bit healthier, and when he was much younger.

But, the NFL records are just a product of him doing things no one is doing. Which would've have been his case for the Hall if he met at least 2 of the 3 things I listed as his detractors. Hasn't done it enough, and long enough.

I do like the NFL records: 1st NFL player to score a rushing touchdown from the right hash at the 14 yard line on a Thursday after completing 3 cartwheels on a Tuesday following a win against the Panthers before Thanksgiving in a leap year.

#1 is BS
Ditching his QB ruse? Do you know his record as a starting QB? Is it a limited sample size? Sure, but when called upon, he came through!
#2 is BS!
Can you tell me how many games Hill has missed in his entire career, due to injury?

I don't have a say, in anything having to do w/the Hall, but Taysom is performing at a level not seen since Jim Thorpe! Payton saw his potential but never used him the way he should have. He performed at a stellar level in everything ever asked of him. He was criminally underused.

 

[bobad]

Taysom's position is Football Player. An anomaly. I'm not sure if we'll ever see this kinda thing again.

I'm not so pessimistic. I think players with Taysom's abilities are scarce, but not rare. If Josh Allen wasn't such a good passer, he could have filled that role. There are probably other marginal QBs and TEs 10 years ago to present that could have played Taysom's role, but their coaches had no vision and they were cut.

Taysom used to save us at least 1 roster spot, and other coaches would love that, but they don't have the vision or stones to upset their rigid training routines or take snaps away from their no. 1 players.

 

[Artifactual]

To one who created this outstanding TH's historic facts thread, FANTASTIC JOB!!! Most of these facts I didn't even know. MUCH RESPECT to you

Thanks Brother!

And Thanks for reading through it.

I purposely put two "poison pills" (slightly incorrect data) in my OP.

(Hint: One is in the NFL list and the other is in the Saints list.)

It tells me that most haven't bothered reading through the entire OP, much less having read it carefully.

Otherwise, someone here would have been quick to correct me. It's not too late.

Instead, most skipped taking it all in and were quick to reply Nah, and also didn't answer the question of the thread title, which is also at the bottom of the OP.

 

[Artifactual]

Interesting fact I found that also answers the question @Artifactual asked. There isn’t a single player in the Hall of Fame that played after 1950 who doesn’t have at least one Pro Bowl.

So what does Hill need to do? He needs to get that first Pro Bowl for starters, otherwise he would be setting a different kind of record by making the HOF without one.

Edit: There is one, Ken Riley, that made it. However, he had a 1st team AP to his name, and he is fifth all time on the career interception leaderboard. So Hill needs at least one of a PB or AP, but few players have made it recently without multiple.

This was probably the best thought out reason why TH7 won't be inducted into the NFL HOF since it correlates to the players already inducted into the HOF.

There's always the possibility of there being a First time, or in this case, a Second time.

Also, he hasn't, and most likely never will, lead the NFL in one single major statistical category in a single season.

As an under-utilized (no fault of his own) multi-position player it would have been virtually impossible to be named to the Pro Bowl or All Pro at a single position.

However, if the Saints would have classified him as a FB as his primary position, he most likely would have already been named to several. Had they just done so for the 2024 season he would be hands down the leading candidate for both PB and AP as a FB. His lead blocking for AK41 has been excellent and his other stats leave all other FBs in the dust. So, if the Saints were to change his position status next year to FB, he could easily attain accolades of PB and AP at that position.

 

[44slayer]

#1 is BS
Ditching his QB ruse? Do you know his record as a starting QB? Is it a limited sample size? Sure, but when called upon, he came through!
#2 is BS!
Can you tell me how many games Hill has missed in his entire career, due to injury?

I don't have a say, in anything having to do w/the Hall, but Taysom is performing at a level not seen since Jim Thorpe! Payton saw his potential but never used him the way he should have. He performed at a stellar level in everything ever asked of him. He was criminally underused.

First, Im not going after TH. I think the guy is special. I WISH he would've not been the backup QB, ever. Fact is yes, he is 7-2. That is a bit misleading if we are being honest but sure. 7-2 is 7-2. But, he is 7-2 and is 34 years old. If he was a legit NFL QB, we would've put him there long term, or some other QB needy team would've traded for him. Substitute the years he spent trying to play QB with him playing the role he has this year and you may be having a legit conversation about his Hall worthiness. His time spent as a QB/Backup QB hurts his Hall chances because starting at 27, he would've had to rack up stats from jump. Not having so many inactive and little used games would've helped.

He was never a legit long term answer at QB. Since you are reading this the wrong way...let me try something else.... if he wasn't chasing the QB position and instead focused on being what he has been this year, he would have a better chance at the HoF. You can call it whatever you want, or believe he was the next Dan Marino. The point is, if he spent the years playing full time joker instead of backup QB, he wouldve put up better numbers. This is a HoF case, not the QB you think he should have been. Im not saying anything negative other than, he didn't start in the NFL till 27. So if at any point he was going to be a serious HoF candidate, he didn't have time to chase the QB position.

On the 2nd point, maybe not due to injury, but he has never played more than 41% of the teams snaps on offense except the 2 seasons where he started 4 and 5 games respectively at QB, boosting his snap count. And he has only had 1 season where he played north of 50% snaps. In the 21 season he had a comp % under 60%, and threw more INT than TDs in his most snaps as a QB. He has been inactive or played 0 snaps in 24 games. That's nearly 1.5 seasons. Add on that the MANY games where he had just a few touches and it equals a whole lot of time.

But this isn't me bashing TH. You cant try to frame it that way. Im telling you why he wont get in the HoF. I am not questioning his ability as a football player. I love watching the guy play. I wish I could've watched him play more. He is unlike anyone else Ive seen.

And I do appreciate Artifactual putting that together, it was an interesting read and one of the better posts you'll find. But it just isn't going to happen.

 

[NatureBoy]

He’s thought of as a novelty. It’s unfair, but the way it is. I think he’d have to pull off his magic in a high stakes post season game that results in a Saints win, to be taken seriously. In other words, he’d have to be in the national spotlight, in front of all NFL fans and press, in order for them to actually understand just how much of a game changer he is.

 

[madake63]

I think it mainly depends on how much longer he plays. Two more seasons after this one and he's in.

 

[RaginCajun83]

He’s thought of as a novelty. It’s unfair, but the way it is. I think he’d have to pull off his magic in a high stakes post season game that results in a Saints win, to be taken seriously. In other words, he’d have to be in the national spotlight, in front of all NFL fans and press, in order for them to actually understand just how much of a game changer he is.

IIRC didn’t he basically carry the Saints offense the 2nd half of the 2020 Wild Card game vs Vikings

 

[NatureBoy]

IIRC didn’t he basically carry the Saints offense the 2nd half of the 2020 Wild Card game vs Vikings

Maybe so. I don’t remember. Not the kind of showcase I’m talking about. I’m thinking conference championship or Super Bowl. The kind of game where the entire leagues eyes are on one game.

 

[jasonsw]

You take what he did last week, put it in a SuperBowl game, plus he makes the score that's leads the Saints to victory in the final seconds.

At that point you can't tell the story of the NFL without mentioning him. I've heard that's the big criteria, more so than the number.

It's why I think.Edelman will get in the HOF eventually he had many big postseason moments and i believe is the all time leader in post season catches and yards

 

[Artifactual]

IIRC didn’t he basically carry the Saints offense the 2nd half of the 2020 Wild Card game vs Vikings

No doubt about it! It was a shame that CSP didn't ride Hill more often in that game as he was unstoppable. Yet, late in the game on the last drive, he was not in the game.

2019 Season Wild Card Game Stat Line vs Vikings For Taysom Hill:

1 of 1 Passing, 100% Completion Rate - 50 Passing Yards.
Yards Per Pass Attempt - 50.
QB Rating 118.7
2 Receptions on Two Targets, 100% Catch Rate -25 Receiving Yards.
12.5 Yards Per Reception.
1 Receiving TD.
4 Rushing Attempts for 50 Yards, 12.5 Yards Per Carry.
2 ST Tackles.
23 Offensive Snaps - 41%
27 Special Team Snaps - 85%



Taysom Hill was the Saints Leading Rusher in the game with 50 Yards. AK41 was 2nd with 21 Yards on 7 Carries, Averaging 3.0 Yards Per Carry. TH7 & AK41 scored the only two TDs for the Saints, 1 each. Will Lutz made 2 FGs.

Midway through the 2nd quarter TH7 Rushed for a 1st Down on an 11 Yard Run, then Completed a 50 Yard Pass to Deonte Harris, then lined up at FB and Delivered a Block to get AK41 into the endzone for a 4 Yard TD, all on The Same Drive to give the Saints a 10-3 lead. In the 3rd Quarter Hill Successfully converted a Fake Punt when he Ran for a 1st Down, only to have it called back on a penalty. Late in the 4th quarter with the Saints trailing 20-10 Hill caught a 20 Yard TD in the endzone from Brees to bring the game within 3 points. Hill later caught a pass and had runs of 9 and 28 yards. Will Lutz hit a 49 Yard FG with 2 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime. The Saints lost 23-20.

4th Quarter Touches by Taysom Hill on Final 3 Drives:

1st Drive of 4th Quarter: 10:37 Remaining -1st & 10 @ MIN 20 ~ 20 Yard TD Reception

2nd Drive of 4th Quarter: 6:49 Remaining - 1st & 10 @ NO 29 - 5 Yard Reception. 2 Plays Later with 5:45 Remaining - 3rd & 1 @ NO 38 ~ 9 Yard Run for a 1st Down. 2 Plays Later with 4:35 Remaining - 2nd & 5 @ MIN 48 - 28 Yard Run for a 1st Down. To the bench. (Brees sacked and lost fumble on the next play.)

3rd Drive of 4th Quarter: 1:55 Remaining. Taysom Hill was Not on the Field for a Single Play on the final drive.

Saints began the final drive with 1:55 remaining in the game @ the NO 30, moved to the MIN 31, where Lutz made a 49 Yard FG to send the game into OT.

MIN won the coin toss, marched down the field, scored on a walk off TD to end the game.

This game was from the 2019 Season and played in the Dome on 1/5/20. It went to OT where the Saints lost on a walk off TD. Kyle Rudolph caught a 4 yard TD in the back corner of the endzone. He clearly pushed off on P.J. Williams. Another NO Call. This one gets easily forgotten due to the more famous No Call the year before. Literally 2 Years in a Row on the Saints Home Field they Got Robbed. Missed opportunities. Blind Refs!

Overall TH7 had a monster game. He set multiple NFL records in that game. Having looked up his performance in that game, I came across a few others I had overlooked, and I've added them to my OP, #39, #40, #41, and #42 of the NFL Records Taysom Hill can put his name beside. Amazing! They keep showing up.

39. Taysom Hill in the Only Player in NFL History to Have a Run of At Least 10 Yards and Complete a Pass of At Least 50 Yards on Consecutive Plays on the Same Drive in a Playoff Game. (1/5/20 Wild Card Against Eagles ~ 11 Yard Run, 50 Yard Completion)

40. Taysom Hill is the Only Player in NFL History to Pass for At Least 50 Yards, Rush for At Least 50 Yards while Averaging At Least 12.5 Yards Per Carry in an NFL Playoff Game. (1/5/24 Wild Card Against Eagles)

41. Taysom Hill is the First and Only player in NFL History to Pass for at least 25 Yards, Rush for at least 25 Yards, and have at least 25 Yards Receiving in an NFL Playoff Game. (1/5/20 Wild Card Against Eagles)

42. Taysom Hill is the Only Player in NFL History to Pass for at least 50 Yards, Rush for at least 50 Yards, have at least 25 Yards Receiving, a Receiving TD, and 2 Special Team Tackles in a Playoff Game. (1/5/20 Wild Card Against Eagles)

Maybe so. I don’t remember. Not the kind of showcase I’m talking about. I’m thinking conference championship or Super Bowl. The kind of game where the entire leagues eyes are on one game.

Is it possible that you're setting the bar a bit high?

I'm not trying to single you out, as you're not the only one who has posted something similar in this thread.

When you have a dominating performance and set multiple NFL Records in a Playoff Game those can't be discarded lightly.

Yet it gets done here as if it's just trivial fodder.

As far as having a dominant performance in a Conference Championship or Super Bowl one must consider a few things. Football is a team sport which requires more than just a single players effort to get to Championship and Super Bowl games. There's no guarantee a player will get to play in one no matter how great the player. Enshrinement in the HOF is based on the players Career body of work. An incredible performance in a Championship or Super Bowl game would certainly put a spotlight on a players Career, and be a cherry on top of it, but it's not a prerequisite to being inducted into the HOF. It does however spotlight the player.

Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, Joe Thomas, and Floyd Little Never Played in a Single Playoff Game. They're all HOFers. It was their Career body of work that got them in.

Barry Sanders, Merlin Olsen, Deacon Jones, O.J. Simpson, Earl Campbell, Eric Dickerson, Warren Moon, Steve Largent, Dan Fouts, and plenty of other HOFers never Played in a Super Bowl. It was their Career body of work that got them in. It had nothing to do with shining in the big game.

I'm not comparing TH7 to any of the aforementioned players. I'm simply stating that some type of MVP performance in a post season Conference or Super Bowl game is not required to be considered a HOF inductee.

That's just a fact.