Zack Baun and Trey Hendrickson aren’t the only former members of the New Orleans Saints who are finalists for an Associated Press award. Former head coach Sean Payton, now with the Denver Broncos, is a finalist for Coach of the Year. He previously won this award with the Saints in 2006.
Payton led the Broncos to the playoffs in second year with the team. It was Denver’s first playoff berth since their 2015 Super Bowl victory.
Though it was only a two game improvement from Year 1, Payton and the Broncos still over achieved. Russell Wilson’s play was shaky in 2023, but the move to rookie Bo Nix was supposed to be a much slower transition.
The defense was the backbone of the team, while Nix exceeded expectations and is in the running for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Making the playoffs with a rookie at quarterback is the driving force of Payton’s resume for the award. He and Dan Quinn, a fellow finalist, are the only ones to achieve that feat this year.
