Shaun

Hill

The Bucs and Vikings have also been linked to Hill. Hill kept his head above water for the Rams last season, but shouldn’t be the subject of any backup bidding wars. He would be an improvement on both Brandon Weeden and Matt Schaub.

With Jim Sorgi on the mend, Peyton Manning is Indianapolis’ only healthy quarterback with experience. Undrafted rookies Josh Betts and David Koral are currently vying to be third-string.

Hill, most recently of the Minnesota Vikings, worked out in May with the Colts. In San Francisco, he’ll compete to be the Niners’ third-string quarterback.

The Post’s Mike Klis isn’t citing sources, so this appears to be more of a guessing game than a report. Johnson makes sense in the Tim Tebow option offense, though Henne is a better fit if the coaching staff opts against molding the offense to Tebow’s game. Klis rounds out the top five Broncos fits with Jason Campbell, Shaun Hill, and David Garrard.

After striking out on a pre-free agency deal with the Lions, Hill will now do his due diligence on the open market. He should land a deal that pays him like one of the league’s top backups, but is unlikely to match the $3.5 million Jason Campbell wrested from the Bears Tuesday.

Re-signing Hill was a priority for the Lions, but the sides remained “far enough apart on a new deal” late Monday that Hill has decided to gauge his value on the open market. A career backup, Hill performed well in the absence of Matthew Stafford in 2010, completing 257-of-416 passes for 2,686 yards, 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in parts of 11 games. He could land a deal that pays him like one of the league’s upper echelon backups. If Hill walks, the Lions will likely focus on re-signing fellow free agent QB Drew Stanton.

Matthew Stafford’s backup the past two seasons is peddling his wares on the open market, but has only generated one reported visit. With third-stringer Drew Stanton scooped up by the Jets, it’s unlikely Detroit will let Hill get away.

Hill visited with the Rams on Thursday, but ultimately decided to return as Matthew Stafford’s backup for the third consecutive season. Financial terms are not immediately available. Hill is unlikely to match the $3.5 million Jason Campbell received from Chicago.

The Lions realize Hill will draw interest from “at least” three teams, including one that would perhaps offer a chance to compete for a starting job, according to the National Football Post. While Hill’s preference is to stay in Detroit, the Lions are going to have to offer him a raise in the neighborhood of $3+ million per year.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Hill “might even take a slight discount” because he wants to stay with the organization. Hill does not appear to be interested in pursuing starting opportunities on the open market. The 32-year-old started ten games for Detroit in 2010, posting a 16:12 TD-to-INT ratio.