New Orleans Saints claim Taysom Hill on waivers, but Joe Callahan clears

The Green Bay Packers took a chance on Saturday by waiving rookie quarterback Taysom Hill; on Sunday, that gamble unfortunately did not work out for the team.

According to USA Today’s Tom Pelissero, the New Orleans Saints claimed Hill on waivers and will add him to their 53-man roster. Hill will go to New Orleans as a third-string option behind Drew Brees and Chase Daniel.

Hill was the more impressive player in the battle for the Packers’ #3 job in training camp, outplaying Joe Callahan throughout the preseason. The 6’2” Hill is a tremendous athlete, but is a 27-year-old rookie.

Ultimately, the Packers must have felt that the difference between Hill and Callahan was not enough to warrant keeping Hill on the roster.

Callahan made the 53-man roster out of camp last year. It is perhaps coincidental that the Saints were the team who claimed Callahan on waivers midway through last season when the Packers tried to slip him through onto their practice squad.

At this point, the Packers will likely try to sign Callahan to the practice squad once again as their developmental third quarterback, since Callahan reportedly cleared waivers. Callahan reportedly stayed in Green Bay after final cuts on Saturday to see what transpired at cuts and through the waiver period.

UPDATE: Callahan has decided to return to the Packers’ practice squad.