The NFL teaching hiring cycle has been unusually gradual throughout the 2023 offseason, and a few of that may be attributed to the Sean Payton sweepstakes.
The previous Saints coach is broadly thought to be the highest expertise out there on the teaching market. He has interviewed with 4 of the 5 groups which have head teaching vacancies, however has but to discover a residence for the 2023 NFL season.
And they may not discover one in any respect, because the teaching carousel retains turning.
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Sports activities Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported Monday that Payton might resolve to stick with Fox by 2023 as an alternative of returning to teaching. Why? There are just a few key components that would affect Payton’s choice.
Geography (ie near Los Angeles) and quarterback are crucial [Payton]in addition to the cash, and I am unsure there’s a spot that ticks the field sufficient for him proper now.
Certainly, if being near Los Angeles is crucial issue for Payton, he could have a tough time discovering the best match. Arizona and Denver are the 2 groups that might be closest to town, so it is smart that every can be thought-about among the many favorites to land Payton.
That being stated, every additionally has disadvantages on the quarterback place. The Cardinals have Kyler Murray, who Payton likes, however he tore his ACL on the finish of the 2022 season and will not return to begin the 2023 season — if he can return to motion.
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In the meantime, the Broncos have Russell Wilson, who was as soon as thought-about a high quarterback expertise. Nevertheless, he struggled mightily in his first yr in Denver, and there isn’t any assure the 34-year-old will ever be the identical QB that performed at a Professional Bowl stage throughout his time with the Seahawks.
These questions could also be sufficient to scare Payton out of both state of affairs, although he’s anticipated to have a second interview with the Broncos this week, based on Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune.
After all, it is price noting that even when Payton desires to return to teaching, it can come at a value. The Saints nonetheless personal possession of his contract, and whereas Payton has indicated that a late first-round choose would seemingly be sufficient to get him in a commerce, ESPN’s Jeff Legwold stories that New Orleans is believed to have a bit extra leverage than that is all.
We additionally polled just a few folks across the league in regards to the potential Payton commerce:
The sensation is that if the Saints even took the Broncos at No. 1 (at finest, 28) they might seemingly additionally value the Broncos one or each of the third (they do not have the second) as a part of the transaction.So the Broncos would not be capable of have a choose till No. four in April
— Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) January 23, 2023
That is a price many groups can be prepared to pay for Payton. However would a staff just like the Broncos be prepared to do this after giving up so many picks to land Wilson? Or would they like to land one other candidate they would not should commerce for?
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All of which implies that whereas Payton has choices, they are not plentiful. And neither, as one would count on, is ideal.
So if neither is interesting sufficient for Payton to tackle, he might work in TV for one more yr in hopes that a greater state of affairs turns into out there. If that occurs, the Chargers can be the highest staff to observe given their location in Los Angeles and the presence of a younger, star quarterback in Justin Herbert.