There are a lot of ifs in this story, but with at least six teams looking for new head coaches (not everyone is done deciding the future of their head coach just yet, not to mention things happening in the playoffs changing things), Payton is at the center of the potential chain reaction. Several other teams are rumored to be interested as well.
Advertisement
First, another team would have to contact the Saints and determine compensation for a Payton trade. Coming up short against divisional rivals is not something the front office enjoyed seeing from its new coach.
First, and most importantly, Payton is still under contract with New Orleans for the next two seasons. If the team had lost those two games, the worst draft position they would have is No. 8 overall. If the Saints did give Payton permission to negotiate with another team, that could create an awkward dynamic in New Orleans, where Payton would know that the Saints were open to letting him leave and the Saints would know that Payton was interested in talking to another team. During that time, he has posted an 87-57 record during the regular season. The Buccaneers won a Super Bowl against the Raiders following that, but haven’t done much since, especially since Gruden has left.
Brees sounded nearly more wishful than confident when asked if Payton would return to coach the Saints in his postgame press conference. It calls for Payton to be paid $8 million in the 2016 and 2017 National Football League seasons.
Advertisement
Payton was reported to be meeting with general manager Mickey Loomis yesterday to discuss the future direction of the franchise as well as his own future in New Orleans. While the current New Orleans Saints trade rumors don’t indicate a deal is close to being done yet, there are certainly murmurs of discussions between the front offices of New Orleans and the San Francisco 49ers.
