Taysom Hill confirms he will not return to New Orleans Saints

Taysom Hill has confirmed he will not return to the New Orleans Saints, ending his nine-year spell with the NFL franchise while leaving his future in football uncertain.

According to ESPN, Hill announced his decision in a statement on social media but did not say whether he plans to retire or continue playing elsewhere.

"I still don't have a clear answer about what the future holds, but I know that returning to New Orleans is not in the cards," Hill wrote.

"As training camp begins, I didn't want my silence to be misinterpreted, and as hard as it is to put into words, I wanted to express my gratitude."

Known for playing multiple positions, including quarterback, running back, tight end and wide receiver, Hill became one of the most versatile players in Saints history.

He also thanked supporters, writing: "I had always heard, 'If you love New Orleans, New Orleans will love you back,'" before adding: "The passion, loyalty, and support you showed my family and me over these nine seasons were truly one of a kind."

ESPN reported that Saints general manager Mickey Loomis thanked Hill for his contributions, calling him a "great teammate, excellent leader and mentor."

Hill, who turns 36 next month, played 118 regular season games for New Orleans after joining the team from the Green Bay Packers ahead of the 2017 season.