The New Orleans Saints’ season has been finished for two weeks, and as the days have passed, one question has persisted: Is head coach Sean Payton returning?
According to sources, Payton, who has three years left on his contract, has not committed to coaching another season in New Orleans. He has yet to notify the group for which he has coached since 2006 that he will certainly return.
Multiple attempts by NFL.com to contact Payton went unanswered.
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Payton has been on vacation for over a week, and it is not uncommon for people to turn off their phones while on vacation. Payton’s use of time to consider whether he wants to return or step away for a year is notable, but he has turned his back on some close friends.
Payton is unlikely to coach another team in 2022, according to sources. Rather, this would be a year-long mini-retirement to regroup following what numerous individuals close to him described as an extremely trying and painful season.
In this scenario, New Orleans’ Payton era would most likely come to an end. If he does return to coaching, it will most likely be with another franchise, according to sources.
Such a step would not be unprecedented. After five years with the Cardinals, Bruce Arians retired after the 2017 season. He returned to coaching the Buccaneers in 2019. Tampa Bay sent Arizona a sixth-round draft pick as part of the transaction to employ Arians, who was still under contract with the Cardinals.
According to insiders, Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who has a head coaching interview scheduled with the Chicago Bears, is a top candidate to take over, but New Orleans would need to conduct a thorough search to replace Payton.
Payton, one of the highest-paid coaches in the NFL, is under contract until the 2024 season. It’s difficult to imagine him getting away with at least $45 million, but sources say it’s not out of the question.
Prior to the completion of the 2021 season, sources suggest Payton was approached by at least one TV network about a career in media, which appears to be a possibility as well.
This season, New Orleans faced numerous injuries and relied on four quarterbacks (Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, Trevor Siemian, and Ian Book). According to some who know Payton, it was difficult and exhausting. This necessitated some time away to contemplate his next steps.
Several people close to Payton have stated that they do not know if he would return, with others stating that they, too, have heard the “he could walk away” rumors spread by the public. Meanwhile, the Saints are in a holding pattern.
However, the reality is simple: no one knows what he will do.
