BREAKING: Broncos receive permission from Saints to interview Sean Payton for vacant HC role
The Denver Broncos asked, and received, permission from the New Orleans Saints to interview Sean Payton for their vacant head coach role, according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter.
Sean Payton has been away from the NFL after 15 seasons as the head coach of the Saints. He decided to walk away from the job in 2022, but his rights remain attached to the team, meaning that any franchise that wants to hire him needs permission from the Saints to interview - and, should they close on a deal, also send some compensation to New Orleans in a trade.
Payton is one of the best head coaches in the league. He led the Saints to their only Super Bowl win in 2009, four years after Hurricane Katrina caused massive destruction around the city of New Orleans. He was also voted the AP Coach of the Year in 2006.
The Broncos fired Nathaniel Hackett after an awful start to the season. Denver traded King's Ramson for quarterback Russell Wilson, but the offense struggled throughout the year. Hackett lasted only 15 games and had a 4-11 record.
Interested in betting? The Saints close the season against the Panthers on Sunday
Sean Payton to Denver: can he revive Russell Wilson's career?
The head coach is an offensive mastermind who revived Drew Brees' career, and the Broncos hope that he does the same thing with Wilson after his awful first year in Colorado.
The level dropoff from the Saints' offense this season has been astonishing. Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael remained on the job, but Payton was the main architect. It's obvious how much New Orleans misses him, but just as he said in his final press conference, it was time to move on.
Obviously, Drew Brees' retirement after the 2020 season played a part in his decision. The duo had a successful partnership for more than a decade, always being one of the NFL's best offenses and bringing a Super Bowl back in 2009 to a city that much needed it.
With the coach's resumè, he is allowed to pick the best opportunity for him, as lots of teams will be interested in his services. If he can squeeze something out of Russell Wilson again, the Broncos will be a dangerous team for the upcoming seasons.
As per reports by NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Saints will command a first-round pick and more if they are to officially part ways with their former head coach. How the Broncos put forward a trade package remains to be seen given the draft capital they parted ways to sign Wilson.