Josh Hill, Saints Reportedly Agree to 3-Year, $8.85 Million Contract Extension

The New Orleans Saints have reportedly agreed to a three-year, $8.85 million contract extension with tight end Josh Hill, according to Field Yates of ESPN.

According to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com, Hill's contract extension will include $3 million in signing bonuses.

Hill, 28, doesn't flash on the stat sheet, recording just 16 receptions for 185 yards and a touchdown this season. But his impact is felt in other ways:

Despite his modest numbers, Hill still tied his career high in receptions this year and set a career mark in receiving yards. But his ability to make an impact as a blocker made him a valuable role player for a Saints team that went 13-3 this year and looks like the favorite to reach the Super Bowl out of the NFC.

Hill was also excellent for the Saints in the postseason last year, catching six passes for 103 yards and a score in two games, though the team may not need him to make that level of impact in the passing game this season. New Orleans isn't devoid of weapons, with Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, Taysom Hill and Ben Watson, among others, giving the team a suite of playmakers for quarterback Drew Brees.

Watson, however, announced last week that he would be retiring after this season.

"I knew coming into this year that it probably would be the last year," Watson said, per the Associated Press (h/t ShreveportTimes.com). "Our approach was as a family we were fortunate to come and play for another year, but you kind of know. You hope you get to exit on your own terms." 

That left just Dan Arnold locked up at tight end before Hill's contract was reported, making Hill's re-signing all the more vital.