Sean Payton figures to be one of many NFL‘s most sought-after coaches this offseason. The course of for his potential return to the sidelines has already begun.

The former New Orleans Saints coach and present FOX studio analyst stated Sunday morning that he just lately spoke with the Denver Broncos — presumably CEO Greg Penner, who’s in command of a lot of the staff’s day-to-day operations — about their emptiness.

Denver is the primary (and so far the one) staff that Payton stated he is spoken with a couple of teaching return and the 2 sides had been solely in a position to have that dialogue after the membership obtained permission from the Saints. 

“I was able to have a conversation with their owner and that’s kind of the protocol,” Payton stated.

Payton, who stepped other than teaching following the 2021 season, remains to be underneath contract with New Orleans by way of the 2024 season. That means a membership would first must finalize a commerce with the Saints earlier than securing his companies. Payton famous he can’t formally interview for any teaching job till Jan. 17.

Sean Payton on what groups across the NFL would want to do to land him as their subsequent head coach

On “FOX NFL Kickoff”, Sean Payton spoke in regards to the current inquiries of groups across the NFL to make him their subsequent head coach.

While the Broncos are seen as a robust candidate to land Payton due to the presence of former Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson, Payton stated the alignment between him and a entrance workplace could be the first consider returning to teaching.

“I think it’s really about the triangular relationship — ownership front office, coach,” Payton stated. “When we went to New Orleans, the quarterback was unsettled at that time. So I think ownership and the functionality of the front office is most important.”

The Broncos publish turned open in December after the brand new brass parted methods with first-year coach Nathaniel Hackett after simply 15 video games. It’s one in all three early vacancies across the league, together with the Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts. FOX’s Jay Glazer reported the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams may be looking for new coaches this offseason.

Interestingly, when requested what’s the chance on a scale between 1-10 that he’d stay with FOX subsequent season, Payton stated “7.”  

“I love my job here,” Payton stated. “There’s absolutely not a [team] I’m leaning towards. I’m kind of picky, so this job is as good as a lot of those jobs. There’s no utopia. All these teams are moving on for reasons. Some of them you got to be careful, if it’s not just the coach, that there’s other problems that are deeper.”

Payton, 59, compiled a 152-89 mark within the common season and went 9-8 within the playoffs over 15 seasons with New Orleans, which included profitable Super Bowl XLIV and 7 NFC South titles. His .631 profitable proportion ranks seventh all-time amongst NFL coaches with at the least 150 wins.

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