Entering the offseason, it appeared that former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton would be the hottest candidate available to hire. He retired a year ago from his job with the Saints after 15 seasons, nine playoff appearances and one Super Bowl will to work as an analyst for FOX.
He was connected to two Los Angeles teams and the Arizona Cardinals.
He got interviews with multiple teams.
However, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, things might be drying up for Payton.
“As you go through the different places that Sean Payton has interviewed, it does not seem like a second interview is coming with any of those,” he said on NFL Network.
He is scheduled to have a first interview with the Arizona Cardinals but after talks with the Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos and Houston Texans, nothing has moved beyond a first meeting.
Rapoport even suggests that Payton’s scheduled interview might not happen, depending on how things go with the team’s second meeting with Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
“As of right now, it does not seem like there is a place for Sean Payton,” he said.
Payton has the best resume, but he comes with an expectation of roster control, a high price tag and any team that hires him will have to compensate the Saints because he is still under contract with them.
That’s tough for even a desperate team.
We might see Payton back in the television studio in 2023 if things keep going in this direction.
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