Report: Sean Payton could leave Saints after this season
With two NFL head coaches already fired this season and likely more to come, one coach whose current job would appear secure may opt to become a free agent.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton “is open to other opportunities in 2016.”
On “NFL GameDay Morning,” Rapoport explained Payton’s situation:
“According to three people briefed on this matter, his contract may help [him change teams]. I am told that in Payton’s contract he has a ‘change of control’ clause. In other words, if the person in control of the Saints organization, currently Tom Benson, though that is now being discussed in the courts, if that changes, Payton would be able to be a free agent in 2016 if he is so inclined. In addition, if Payton does want to leave the Saints after the season, regardless of who is in charge, I’m told according to Saints ources they would be inclined to let Payton explore other opportunities, mainly because of what he has brought this franchise and organization.”
(Benson and his family are arguing over the family’s assets, including the Saints and NBA’s Pelicans. You can read more details here.)
But Rapoport noted that even if there is no change, Payton may still get the team’s blessing to explore other options. Currently, the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans have interim coaches, having fired Joe Philbin and Ken Whisenhunt, respectively, and Detroit’s Jim Caldwell and Indianapolis’ Chuck Pagano are likely to be fired at the end of the season, if not sooner. There may be other jobs that come open, but of those four, the Colts may be most attractive for Payton, especially if general manager Ryan Grigson is also fired, due to the presence of Andrew Luck.
In 10 seasons as head coach (though he was suspended for the 2012 season because of the bounty scandal), Payton has led the Saints to five playoff appearances, as many as the franchise had in its first 39 seasons combined, plus its only Super Bowl win.
