Taysom Hill Could Be the Broncos’ Ultimate Insurance Policy
The Denver Broncos enter the 2026 season with one of the deepest rosters in football and legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.
However, even championship-caliber teams have vulnerabilities.
For Denver, those vulnerabilities are fairly clear: backup quarterback, uncertainty at tight end, and questions surrounding the running back room should injuries strike.
One player could help address all three concerns at once.
Veteran offensive weapon Taysom Hill remains one of the most unique players in NFL history, and his versatility could make him one of the most intriguing free agents still available.
Quarterback Insurance Behind Bo Nix
The 2025 AFC Championship Game served as a reminder that even the NFL’s deepest rosters can become vulnerable when a franchise quarterback goes down.
The Broncos have built a roster capable of competing for a championship, but their margin for error behind Nix appears thin. If Denver hopes to make another deep postseason run in 2026, improving its contingency plan at quarterback could be worth exploring.
That's where Hill’s value becomes intriguing.
While Hill has never been a full-time NFL starter, he has demonstrated an ability to keep winning teams on track when called upon.
During the 2020 season, Hill went 3-1 as a starter for a New Orleans Saints team that ultimately finished 12-4, won the NFC South, and secured the NFC’s No. 2 seed. Rather than merely keeping New Orleans competitive, Hill helped the Saints maintain their standing as one of the conference’s top teams while Drew Brees recovered from injury.
Hill was again called upon by New Orleans in 2021 and posted a 4-1 record as a starter despite a Saints roster dealing with significant injuries and instability at quarterback. New Orleans ultimately finished 9-8 and narrowly missed the playoffs, but Hill helped keep the team in postseason contention throughout the year.
No one is suggesting Hill would replicate Nix’s production. However, if Nix were forced to miss time, Hill offers a proven alternative capable of helping a talented roster remain competitive.
More importantly, he has already proven he can help a playoff-caliber roster survive injuries at quarterback.
A Potential Safety Net at Tight End
The Broncos made a significant investment in Evan Engram, but there are still questions surrounding the position.
Engram is entering his age-32 season and is looking to rebound after an injury-shortened 2025 campaign. Meanwhile, rookies Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley may eventually develop into long-term contributors, but expecting immediate starter-level production from either player could be optimistic.
Hill offers an intriguing fallback option.
Throughout his career, he has accumulated 1,034 receiving yards and 11 touchdown receptions while lining up in a variety of offensive roles. Although he has never been a traditional every-down tight end, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to contribute as a receiver and create matchup problems for opposing defenses.
If Engram were to miss time or struggle to regain his previous form, Hill could help bridge the gap while Denver’s younger tight ends continue to develop.
Valuable Depth in the Backfield
The Broncos’ running back room appears improved heading into 2026, but durability concerns remain.
J.K. Dobbins has battled injuries throughout his career, and if he were to miss extended time, Denver’s replacement plan contains more questions than answers.
The Broncos are optimistic about Jonah Coleman’s future, but there is no guarantee the rookie would be ready to shoulder a bell-cow workload. Meanwhile, RJ Harvey’s 2025 campaign raised questions about whether he can consistently handle the responsibilities of a featured running back.
That’s where Hill’s versatility becomes valuable. While he would not replace Dobbins outright, he could help absorb carries, contribute in short-yardage situations, and provide another experienced option in the backfield.
Over the course of his career, he has rushed for 2,551 yards and 34 touchdowns while averaging an impressive 5.2 yards per carry. Those numbers are not simply the result of gadget plays. Hill has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to run between the tackles, convert short-yardage situations, and generate explosive plays with his athleticism.
If injuries were to strike Denver’s backfield, Hill could provide emergency depth while simultaneously serving as a situational offensive weapon for the Broncos.
A One-of-One NFL Weapon
What separates Hill from virtually every other free agent is that there is no true comparison for his skill set.
In 2025, Hill became the first player in the Super Bowl era to surpass 1,000 career passing yards, 1,000 career rushing yards, and 1,000 career receiving yards.
That milestone underscores what NFL teams have known for years: Hill isn't simply a backup quarterback, a tight end, or a running back.
He’s all three.
Very few players in NFL history have been able to impact games in so many different ways.
Given that Denver is looking to maximize every available roster spot, that kind of versatility carries real value.
Hill can provide emergency depth at quarterback, tight end, and running back while also contributing in specialized packages and on special teams.
He has also logged significant special teams snaps throughout his career, further enhancing his value as a true multi-phase player.
The Familiarity Factor
Hill’s connection to Broncos head coach Sean Payton is also worth noting.
During their years together with the Saints, Payton developed some of the league’s most creative packages for Hill and gained a unique understanding of how to deploy his diverse skill set.
While Davis Webb now handles Denver’s offensive playcalling duties, Payton's familiarity with Hill could help ease any transition if the Broncos chose to bring him aboard.
Final Thoughts
There are legitimate concerns surrounding Hill’s age and durability. He turns 36 this season and has dealt with injuries throughout his career.
However, Denver would not be signing Hill to become an every-down starter at any position.
The Broncos would be signing him for flexibility.
They would be signing him because he can provide depth at quarterback, tight end, and running back while also contributing on special teams.
Most importantly, Denver would be signing a player who has already demonstrated an ability to help playoff-caliber teams navigate adversity.
The Broncos do not need Hill to carry their offense.
They simply need him to be what he has always been: one of the NFL’s most versatile insurance policies.
For a team with championship aspirations, that may be reason enough to make the call.
In a league where one injury can derail a Super Bowl run, few available players offer more roster protection than Taysom Hill.
