The NFL has already seen two head coaching vacancies this season — and plenty more appear to be on the way over the next six weeks. Sean Payton, who quit as head coach of the New Orleans Saints last year, is awaiting his next opportunity – and some intriguing jobs that may become available.
ESPN reports that two teams Payton is watching are the Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals. Payton has been tied to these openings because quarterback situations are stable, especially with Justin Herbert cut as the Chargers’ franchise quarterback and Kyler Murray coming out of his overtime with the Cardinals.
Any team interested in Payton’s services should pay compensation to New Orleans since Payton is still under contract with the franchise. Payton may have interest from other teams, but those teams are expected to strike a deal with the Saints to make him their next head coach. Payton still has two years left on his contract.
Payton went 152-89 in his 15 years in New Orleans (.631 winning percentage), winning seven division titles, nine playoff games and Super Bowl XLIV in the 2009 season. His 144 wins with Drew Brees at quarterback is tied for second among a quarterback-head coach duo in NFL history.
The Saints went 9-8 last season with four different starting quarterbacks. For Payton, coaching a franchise quarterback like Herbert or Murray would make sense if Chargers and/or Cardinals jobs became available. Kliff Kingsbury is in the hot seat in Arizona after a 4-7 start and Brandon Staley’s future is up in the air with Los Angeles in danger of missing the playoffs in each of his two seasons at the helm.
The offseason could be interesting for Payton if these two jobs become available.