Sean Payton opens up on NFL future and confirms private New Orleans Saints talks

Sean Payton has confirmed he is set to hold interviews with a number of NFL teams ahead of a return to the sport, and has revealed the price the New Orleans Saints have placed on him in a hypothetical trade.

Payton has been linked to a number of vacant head coaching spots throughout the NFL. The 59-year-old has taken a year away from the sport after leaving the Saints in 2022, and despite being offered the chance to return with the Miami Dolphins last year, he has remained away from the NFL.

Now, however, he is expected to return, with the Saints willing to accept a trade to allow him to go and coach a new team. Speaking to 'The Herd' with Colin Cowherd, Payton explained he had spoken with the Saints about what they'd accept in a trade.

Payton said: "Yeah, so, the way the league rules are set up for coaches that are under contract with teams - that would be me - they can begin the interview process tomorrow.

"I'll have the chance to visit prior, I've spoken to a few teams - that's done through permission with the Saints. This week will be Houston, Denver, later in the week Carolina.

"In some cases they'll come here, in other cases I might to there. At the end of the week I'm going out to New York, I'll have the chance to visit Mr Tepper [David, Carolina Panthers owner] in Carolina.

Sean Payton will hold interviews with potential new teams this week (GETTY)

"We haven't even met yet, so [compensation] is something that comes up later in the process. Being that I haven't interviewed with anyone yet, it's all speculative.

"Mickey Loomis and I have talked already about it. I think ultimately the compensation for the Saints will be a mid or later first-round pick. We can arrive at that in a lot of different ways. I think Denver has a pick when they [made a trade with the 49ers]. Every team has different ammo, different picks, it could be a future one where you have to throw in something."

The Los Angeles Chargers have also been tipped to make a move for Payton following their disappointing exit from the NFL Play-Offs. The Chargers were beaten by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night, throwing away a 27-0 lead.