#Lions have signed free agent TE Josh Hill
https://t.co/JCd7gq44wR pic.twitter.com/7LnCatrgkK
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) March 13, 2021
Well this is tough. The New Orleans Saints were forced to terminate their contract with tight end Josh Hill last week during the NFL’s salary cap crunch, and he quickly landed on his feet with the Detroit Lions — and his former position coach Dan Campbell, now the Lions head coach. Terms of the contract were not immediately available.
While Hill was never a featured receiver in the New Orleans offense, his skills as a blocker in a variety of assignments made him one of Sean Payton’s favorite players. Campbell saw how important he was firsthand; at one point when Hill was injured and knocked out of a game, Payton described the loss as trying to build a house without its front door.
Hill is expected to replace Jesse James in Detroit, who was recently released, as the No. 2 tight end behind pass-catching standout T.J. Hockenson. He brings 117 regular season games’ worth of experience with him and should be a big help to the rebuilding Lions offense. Because the Saints cut Hill before he signed with Detroit, New Orleans will not qualify for a compensatory draft pick.
In the meantime, the Saints will be looking to surround second-year pro Adam Trautman. The only other tight ends on their roster are Garrett Griffin and Ethan Wolf, both returning from last year’s practice squad. Expect more moves for New Orleans very soon, and for more of their cap casualties to catch on with other teams.
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