EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Falcons HC Mike Smith reveals real reason why Sean Payton left the Saints 

The New Orleans Saints were shutout in Week 12, as they lost 13-0 to the San Francisco 49ers. The loss saw the Saints drop to 4-8 for the season. They remain rooted to the bottom of the NFC South and while mathematically they can still win the division title, a playoff appearance looks like a distant dream.

Pete_Salveson

@SixersRANK

Next Monday night is fairly massive for the Saints pick. If Saints beat Bucs, their playoff odds jump from 8% to 24%. If they lose, they drop to 0.8% twitter.com/BrandonGowton/…

Brandon Lee Gowton

@BrandonGowton

The Eagles are currently set to have the No. 7 and No. 31 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.

(Weekly disclaimer: there are only 31 selections in the first round with the Dolphins’ pick being forfeited.)

bleedinggreennation.com/2022/9/12/2334…

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The Eagles are currently set to have the No. 7 and No. 31 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.

(Weekly disclaimer: there are only 31 selections in the first round with the Dolphins’ pick being forfeited.)

bleedinggreennation.com/2022/9/12/2334…

Next Monday night is fairly massive for the Saints pick. If Saints beat Bucs, their playoff odds jump from 8% to 24%. If they lose, they drop to 0.8% twitter.com/BrandonGowton/…

Many predicted that the 2022 NFL season would prove to be a rough ride for the Saints. Former head coach Sean Payton left the franchise in January, prompting the team to promote defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to take over as the new head coach.

Payton's exit was a surprise to many, including the Saints. Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith has a theory as to why the Saints' Super Bowl-winning head coach left abruptly.

While discussing the New Orleans Saints' campaign on Sportskeeda's BallFather Podcast with host Reggie Roberts, Smith said:

"Sean Payton is not with the Saints because they don't have a quarterback. No disrespect to the two players [Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston] that are there, but they're quarterback deficient.

"When you're quarterback deficient, you got no chance in this league. You know, that's got to be addressed first and foremost. [Saints GM] Mickey Loomis knows how to rebuild a team, you know. But he's never had to rebuild it without having to plug a quarterback in. That's been the big issue."

Watch the full podcast episode below:

New Orleans Saints have struggled to replace Drew Brees

Post Drew Brees' retirement after the 2020 season, the Saints have struggled to find a solution to their quarterback conundrum. During the 2021 season, Sean Payton's final year with the Saints, the team fielded four starting quarterbacks in 17 games.

Jameis Winston was named the Saints' starting quarterback, but seven games into the campaign, he suffered a torn ACL. Taysom Hill took over as the starting quarterback in Winston's absence. Later, Trevor Siemian got the nod and started four games for the Saints. Rookie Ian Book also started one game for New Orleans last season. The Saints finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs.

The Saints were interested in acquiring Russell Wilson in the 2022 offseason, but the former Seattle Seahawks star opted to join the Denver Broncos. The Saints settled for Andy Dalton, who has started nine games this season. Winston has played the other three.

Replacing Brees has proven to be a tall order for the Saints and their failure to do so may have cost them their Super Bowl-winning head coach.

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