2023-01-12 08:00:00
By Jonas Rutten
January 17 is a pivotal date in the NFL in this young year. Not only are the participants in the Divisional Round then determined in the playoffs. The day also marks the beginning of what is arguably one of the most interesting and possibly most lengthy off-season storylines.
Because following weeks in which the rumor mill was already bubbling, Sean Payton – currently still under contract with the New Orleans Saints – can then officially negotiate with interested teams regarding the post as head coach for the 2023 season.
Now the question arises: What does Payton want? Who are the prospects? And might there even be a hammer trade?
ran answers the most important questions regarding the future of the coach of the year 2006.
Sean Payton: What does he say regarding an NFL comeback?
In the past few months, one thing has become very clear: Sean Payton definitely wants to return to the NFL as head coach following his sabbatical as a TV analyst for “FOX Sports”. Both his statements and his actions indicate this.
On the one hand, Payton himself only said in December that he would be “definitely interested” if “the right situation” presented itself to him. On the other hand, he should already be putting together his staff for a comeback in the background – and without an agreement with a new team. According to “ESPN” he has already acquired Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator.
So there’s little doubt that Payton will return as head coach in 2023. The only question is: where will that be?
Sean Payton: Which teams are eligible?
Payton himself outlined back in September what is important to him in a franchise. “The most important element is a working relationship between owners and the front office of a franchise,” he said.
This also explains why Payton – although it was said that he would meet with all interested teams without a head coach – is said to have ruled out an engagement with the 2022 Indianapolis Colts around owner Jim Irsay, who were so chaotic. This is reported by the “New Orleans.Football” portal.
In addition to the Colts, the Carolina Panthers are probably out of the running. The reason might be a veto by the Saints, who will do the devil and cede their Super Bowl coach to a division rival.
The Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans and the Denver Broncos remain of the franchises that are without a head coach following the end of the regular season. Payton will meet with all three franchises starting Tuesday, according to New Orleans.Football.
However, according to “ESPN”, the Broncos already have several alternatives on the list. Apparently, Denver has already had talks with ex-Colts and ex-Lions coach Jim Caldwell and David Shaw. The 50-year-old resigned as head coach at the end of November following twelve years at Stanford College.
Sean Payton’s NFL return: Is there a favorite?
So the obvious circle of candidates is clear: Cardinals, Texans and Broncos. Of the three teams, the Cardinals most closely match Payton’s needs.
A more competitive team than the Broncos, warm weather, potentially more roster and staff control following GM Steve Keim’s sacking, and a potential high-scoring offense centered around Kyler Murray, who will most likely need plenty of time following his cruciate ligament tear to get fit.
The Texans will continue to be regarding a rebuild in 2023 and with the victory over the Colts Houston probably blocked top pick Bryce Young for Payton with an indispensable solution for the quarterback situation.
But what regarding teams that currently STILL have no need for a head coach? Here’s a look at Payton’s current home. As “ESPN” reports, Payton would like to stay in Los Angeles – and it’s not so bad for him that Sean McVay is at least questioning his future with the Rams following this messed-up season.
Should McVay actually resign, Payton would be a no-brainer for the Rams, despite the high salary and the Saints’ requirement for at least one first-round pick – and conversely a highly attractive target for Payton.
In the course of the Wild Card Weekend, another team might suddenly be in the raffle. The question is: what happens to Mike McCarthy if the Dallas Cowboys are eliminated by the previously disappointing Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
McCarthy clearly missed the playoffs with the Cowboys in his first year as head coach due to Dak Prescott’s serious injury. In his sophomore year, despite a strong record (12-5), he was eliminated in the wild card round by the San Francisco 49ers.
If the Cowboys fail once more early in the playoffs, owner Jerry Jones might start thinking. Rumors to this effect have been circulating since the summer because Jones and Payton have both a friendship and a professional past. Payton was the Cowboys’ assistant head coach and quarterback coach from 2003-2005.
A trade from Payton to the Cowboys would be an absolute NFL quake – but also an extremely unlikely scenario. As things stand, the Cardinals are likely to have the best cards if McVay’s situation in Los Angeles doesn’t change.
Sean Payton: Is a return to the New Orleans Saints out of the question?
Nothing is completely ruled out given the ongoing contract until 2024 and the weak season of the Saints (7-10) under Payton’s former defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
“Pro Football Talk” even described an upcoming return of the successful coach to New Orleans at the end of last year as “the NFL’s worst-kept secret”.
However, given the abundance of alternatives, a Saints return would make little sense for Payton. The salary cap and the fact that the Saints don’t have a first-round pick in the draft make personnel improvements almost impossible.
On the other hand, New Orleans wants to give Allen another opportunity next season, according to “NBC”.
When can a decision be expected at Sean Payton?
Payton will take his time in making his decision and, as he said himself, will listen to every prospect. It’s quite possible that one or the other franchise will come along following the playoffs.
There would be something in it for Payton to officially end his sabbatical and start a new job on the anniversary of his retirement, Jan. 25. But that would probably come much too soon.
Things may only get moving once Sean McVay in Los Angeles has made a decision regarding his future with the Rams.
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