Sean Payton is a well-liked man as of late. The previous Saints head coach is mulling a return to the NFL in 2023, and golf equipment are beginning to line up for his providers. Already the Denver Broncos they made their intentions to woo Payton recognized, and now three extra groups are within the combine, with the Texans formally interviewing the previous Tremendous Bowl champion on Monday. NFL Media experiences that the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals have additionally been given permission to speak to Payton about their head teaching jobs after firing Matt Rhule and Kliff Kingsbury, respectively.
Payton, an NFL analyst for Fox Sports activities this season, stated Monday on “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd that he’s set to satisfy with Panthers proprietor David Tepper later this week in New York. The interview is scheduled for Friday, on ESPN.
Forward of that interview, Tepper apparently made his want clear as he would give Payton “just about something he needs” The Washington Post. Nevertheless, the identical report questioned Payton’s curiosity within the commerce. The Panthers’ prime 4 quarterbacks, Sam Darnold and PJ Walker, are each set to hit free company this offseason, leaving Carolina with 2022 third-round decide Matt Corral as the one participant at that place on the roster . Corral suffered a season-ending foot harm within the preseason. Nevertheless, the Panthers have the ninth general decide within the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.
As of Tuesday, groups have been in a position to formally interview Payton. Casual discussions have been allowed if granted by the saints. In fact, whichever group finally works out a take care of Payton for him to turn out to be its subsequent head coach must have a dialogue with the Saints relating to compensation, because the franchise nonetheless owns his rights.
Payton stated Monday on “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd that he is had conversations with Saints basic supervisor Mickey Loomis and that the commerce compensation wanted to get him could be “a mid to late first spherical decide.” It is unclear how New Orleans could be in buying and selling the winningest head coach in group historical past to a division rival.
Earlier than resigning after final season, Payton had been with New Orleans since 2013. He’s 152-89 as a head coach within the common season and 9-Eight within the playoffs, which features a victory in Tremendous Bowl XLIV.
Amongst different contenders, Arizona is within the midst of a seismic upheaval after firing Kingsbury and seeing GM Steve Keim step down for well being causes. A veteran coach like Payton could be a welcome sight for a corporation seeking to contend sooner moderately than later, particularly after asking Kyler Murray for an enormous contract extension earlier than the season even began.
The Texans shortly requested permission to interview Payton for his or her head teaching job after firing Lovie Smith, Fox Sports. In contrast to Denver and Arizona, and equally to the Panthers, the Texans are a bit extra of a clean slate and don’t have any established franchise quarterback. Nevertheless, the membership has the No. 2 general decide within the 2023 NFL Draft, in order that vacation spot might be engaging if Payton has his eye on any of the highest quarterback prospects.