Former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton go far from the sidelines of this season after 15 years but talked about the possibility of a return – and it looks like it could happen sooner rather than later.
“Finally, do I think I’ll go back? Sure,” said Payton USA TODAY. “There is no way to predict who that club might be. Typically, there are about six openings annually. If there is a suitable fit somewhere, that will ultimately depend on a number of factors. “
Clearly, Payton, whose Saints contract runs through 2024, feels his time in New Orleans has passed. It seems like he may have realized winning without the Hall of Fame quarterback wasn’t easy.
As you may know, the Saints kicked Payton out of Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys in 2006. So now that he’s aiming for a return to coaching, the team Payton was affiliated with is, of course, American ( the so-called) Team.
Like any sane football fan (yes, I know how that sounds), I also believe Payton will be a significant upgrade over lame duck Mike McCarthy.
Dak Prescott playing in a Payton-led attack in Big D will be television not to be missed. Payton has helped turn Drew Brees into an elite QB for over a decade after showing some promise to the Chargers. It’s easy to see how Payton could have had a similar impact on Prescott.
This is where I have to pop your bubble, Cowboys fans. It won’t happen. Jerry Jones is the problem that hinders Payton from coaching the Cowboys. He will never be able to run the team the way he wants with ol’ JJ in charge
Payton sat in the front row to witness some of the power struggles Bill Parcells dealt with during his time as the Cowboys head coach. Payton won the right to run the franchise without interference — but it won’t be in Dallas.
Payton molds another young QB
Currently, there are only a handful of realistic possibilities for teams that could bring Payton back in the next year or two, one of which is Jacksonville.
Despite only hiring Doug Pedersen, I think Shad Khan could have another big shot with a big-name head coach if Jags doesn’t make significant strides.
While both Pedersen and Payton have Super Bowl wins on their resume, the latter is clearly stronger. Khan will make that phone call if there’s any chance for the Jaguars – who are certainly not Super Bowl contenders – to bring Payton. Jags fans must be salivating just thinking about Payton coaching Trevor Lawrence.
Payton to Hollywood
How about another place with a young QB? The Chargers finished 9-8 in Brandon Staley’s first season at the helm.
With the young Justin Herbert on rookie contract, now is the time to win, when the team can afford to surround him with weapons and protection.
But what if the Bolts keep missing the playoffs? Maybe it’s Staley’s fault.
The only thing that could stand in the way of Payton coming to LA would be money. He will be able to name his price, which can be between 12 and 15 million dollars per year. Will the charger afford him?
What about the other LA team? Sure, the Rams just got a Super Bowl win, but Sean McVay may still retire in the near future.
If he leaves after 2022 or 2023, the first name on the Rams’ roster will have to be Payton. Huge hypothesis, yes, but you never know with these trainers. Not everyone is a soccer player.
Long shot
Seattle may be looking for its next head coach by the time Payton decides to return. Pete Carroll’s time is almost over with the Seahawks. Whether he’s leaving the franchise entirely is another conversation, but, at 70, he’s not long with his current gig.
The Seahawks don’t have a long-term QB, but could be in a perfect position to draft a QB next year. Payton may not be interested in rebuilding, but he will likely have more say in the team.
What about Arizona? If Kliff Kingsbury can’t get that talented team past the playoffs over the next two seasons, Payton could be the perfect coach to get them through the trap.
Recently, the These Cards team has had a bad habit of starting off strong before falling apart in the second half of the year. Although Kingsbury in March signed a contract extension by 2027, it’s possible he doesn’t fulfill his contract. He’s become the luckiest coach in America right now.
However, it is certain that there will be a lot of interest in Payton when he decides it’s time to get back on the pitch.
Get ready to start listening to him names related to underperformance or losing around mid-November.
