Odds Heavily Favor Brees Returning to Saints in 2020; Taysom Hill Also Expected Back
By Robert Duff in NFL Football
Updated: April 7, 2020 at 3:11 pm EDTPublished:
- Odds heavily favor Drew Brees returning to the New Orleans Saints for the 2020 NFL season
- Third-string QB Taysom Hill is an even bigger favorite to stay in the Big Easy
- Saints head coach Sean Payton has already stated that not all three of his QBs will be back next season
Drew Brees insists that he’s a long way from determining his future as an NFL player. Nonetheless, online betting sites believe that his immediate future will remain with the New Orleans Saints.
Sportsbooks are offering favorable -400 odds that Brees will remain on the Saints’ roster to start the 2020 NFL season.
In a separate prop, they are offering significant -900 odds that Taysom Hill, the third-string QB with the Saints in 2019, will also be back in New Orleans for the start of the 2020 campaign.
Odds Drew Brees Is on Saints Roster for Week 1 of 2020
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Yes | -400 |
| No | +250 |
Odds taken Feb. 5.
Brees wants to decompress from the recently-completed season. then he’ll get down to the business of weighing the options in front of him.
Sean Payton on whether he knows if Drew Brees will retire & if he’s worried he may already be mentally there. pic.twitter.com/gCXKaLKICT
— Damon Amendolara (@DamonAmendo) January 30, 2020
At 41, age didn’t seem to be impacting his performance in the least. Brees did miss five games due to a torn ligament in the thumb of his right passing hand. But it was the type of injury that could happen to any QB.
The damage occurred on a follow-through. Brees’ hand connected with the outstretched arm of Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
Broadcast Booth Beckoning?
Brees indicated that he wants to leave the game on his own terms. He rather not see his career end because 32 NFL teams no longer consider his services to be viable.
It’s a volatile year in terms of movement in NFL broadcast booths. ESPN is desperately seeking to boost its sagging Monday Night Football performance. They’ve reportedly offered Tony Romo $10 million to leave CBS.
One nugget from SB week: Reps of Drew Brees have had exploratory talks with network TV execs to gauge interest in a future broadcasting career. Strictly fact-finding at this point, but the interest appears to be genuine. If/when Brees tries the booth, he will be a hot commodity.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) February 2, 2020
It’s known that networks covet Brees as an analyst post-career. It’s also known that Brees has his negotiating team investigating what broadcast openings there might be for him next season.
His Numbers Were Good
Brees was 8-3 in his 11 starts. He led the NFL in completion percentage (74.3). His passer rating of 116.3 was a career-high and his sack percentage (3.1) was the best in the league.
Brees in the video. Return confirmed 😂 https://t.co/H0YAeoh6Sr
— Canal St. Chronicles (@SaintsCSC) February 3, 2020
Brees also displayed a better touchdown pass percentage (7.1), and his passing yards per game (270.8) was also an improvement from 2018.
It’s hard to believe that Brees will be stepping away from the game while he’s still playing it at a high level.
Tom Brady is still going strong at 42, so why would Brees retire? He’s a free agent but won’t sign anywhere other than New Orleans.
Pick: Yes (-400)
Will Hill Climb?
Teddy Bridgewater, who started the five games when Brees was hurt, is also a free agent. He figures to command a huge salary from a team in search of QB help.
Saints coach Sean Payton already indicated all three of his QBs won’t be back. That’s good news for Hill, who figures to move up the ladder.
Odds Taysom Hill Is on Saints Roster for Week 1 of 2020
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Yes | -900 |
| No | +250 |
Last season, as a utility QB/RB/WR, Hill averaged 18.3 yards per completion, 5.8 yards per carry and 12.3 yards per reception. He’s the perfect foil to the traditional drop-back style of Brees.
Drew Brees just now on @PFT_Live: "If I'm back, and Taysom's along side me, call the plays that puts us in the best position to win. If that means Taysom Hill is taking 30 snaps a game, 25 snaps a game, so be it. I'm all for that."@ProFootballTalk #Saints #WhoDat
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) January 31, 2020
Brees even discussed how confusing it could be for defenses with him and Hill stationed side by side in the backfield, uncertain of who would take the snap.
Hill is also staying put.
Pick: Yes (-900)
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
