Sean Payton brought hope, life, and Drew Brees to New Orleans and gave the city reason to celebrate by winning Super Bowl XLIV in 2009. But all good things must come to an end and he'll leave the Saints once this season comes to a close. There have been abundant rumors on this possibility for a few reasons. The Saints are doubtful to make the playoffs this year and are in salary cap hell. They will probably need to jettison Brees and his $30 million cap hit next year, and it's unlikely that Payton will want to stick around for another rebuilding project. The uncertainty surrounding the ownership situation doesn't help matters either. Rumors have been swirling that USC (those once mighty Trojans who have fallen on hard times since Pete Carroll left), but why would Payton want to confine himself to dealing with academic requirements and a better than the BCS but still questionable playoff system when he knows he can be a successful NFL head coach. I highly doubt he'll also want to also deal with boosters and alumni. Rather, I see five potential NFL destinations he could bring some excitement to next fall.
The Longshot
Washington Redskins
It's very likely that Jay Gruden will be fired following this season. He's benched and spoken against publicly Dan Snyder's favorite player - RGIII - and has shown he's not quite suited - not yet anyway - to running the entire operation. Snyder also has little patience with head coaches, which is why this team should be considered long shots for Payton. Could Payton work with such a meddlesome owner? Will he want too much control over the roster? It's possible he would like the idea of trying to turn Kirk Cousins into a decent NFL quarterback, and if it doesn't work after a year he can just say that he tried and go get his own QB. But there are a lot of question marks surrounding this team, especially on defense which haven't exactly been good recently in New Orleans. But the NFC East would be a lot more interesting with Chip Kelly and Payton squaring off twice a year. Ultimately I think Payton says no thanks to Snyder and goes somewhere he can work his magic in peace.
Maybe, but Not Likely
Detroit Lions
Payton could have the chance to bring the joy of a Super Bowl victory to Detroit much like he did for New Orleans, and we all know Detroit needs something to feel good about these days. He'd also have some excellent pieces on offense with Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, and Golden Tate. He could coach up Eric Ebron and might actually help Ameer Abdullah with his fumbling issues. But Detroit is also in salary cap hell, with Stafford and Johnson counting more than $46 million against next years cap, and Detroit also has a host of defensive issues - especially after allowing a stand out pair of defensive tackles walk in free agency. Suh wouldn't have been worth the cap hit but Nick Fairly should have been resigned. However, Detroit is clearing house and now in charge Martha Ford desperately wants the team to win. Still, this option should be low on the list.
Indianapolis Colts
Payton would work wonders with Andrew Luck under center and there's some other decent parts on offense with T.Y. Hilton, Frank Gore (still productive enough despite his age), and a pair of young tight ends. General Manager Ryan Grigson should be fired any minute now for his failure to add difference makers to the defense and for the capital offense (at least in Indiana) of having no offensive line to protect the star quarterback. However, I think it's unlikely that Chuck Pagano is also let go. Jim Irsay values loyalty and Pagano's done the best with what he's been given. If Irsay decided to simply clean house then this job would jump higher on the list, but Pagano should end up staying on in Indy.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans have already fired Ken Whisenhunt and they'll want to hire a head coach who can help develop Marcus Mariota. Interim head coach Mike Mularkey would be a decent choice to stay on as offensive coordinator once a new head coach is brought in, but I think it's more likely that the Titans will end up hiring current Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. Bevell has been instrumental in the development of Russell Wilson and he'd be tutoring a similar (though certainly taller) version of him in Mariota. Plus there's little else roster wise in Tennessee to entice Payton.
The Likeliest Destination
Houston Texans
Why? Because Payton's kids go to school in the Dallas area and he's already said he enjoys being so close to them so he can go home during the week. It would be a much shorter flight from Houston to Dallas than it is from New Orleans. Bill O'Brien will be fired after the season for another unsuccessful year and for once again failing to develop a quarterback. Added note: I think it's more likely than not that O'Brien ends up getting that aforementioned USC job. Anyway, Payton would get to pick his own quarterback - possibly drafting one to develop after signing Drew Brees once the Saints cut him for salary cap purposes/to fully restart rebuilding that roster. There is talent on offense, though a new running back will be needed, and unlike every other option there's also talent on defense! Payton would jump for joy and spray the entire press room at his introductory news conference with champagne with the chance to coach a defense with JJ Watt and Jadeveon Clowney (assuming he can overcome his knee issues). Maybe he won't since that's probably frowned upon, but either way, Sean Payton should be the next coach of the Houston Texans.
What about Dallas? Think Garrett survives this season?
ReplyDeleteIf Dallas had a Head Coach opening that would certainly jump to the top of Payton's list. However, I do think Garrett survives the season and will be the coach of the Cowboys next year. The Cowboys have been without Romo for much of the year, and Bryant's been out and ineffective with poor quarterback play. Garrett is also way more likely to take heed of Jerry's input while Payton would want a lot more control over the team. Dallas is kind of similar to Washington in terms of ownership involvement as well, and I don't think that's something Payton wants to deal with.
ReplyDeleteThe main reason Payton would be interested in this job would be location. Other than that, I don't see a lot of other pros that would lead him there.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the possibility of the Chargers firing Mike McCoy at seasons end and going after Payton, Payton did start his coaching career at SDSU. Thoughts?
ReplyDeletePayton began his coaching career in 1988 as an offensive assistant at San Diego State University. He made a series of assistant coaching positions at Indiana State University, Miami University (OC), Illinois, and again at San Diego State (running backs coach), before landing a job as the quarterbacks coach with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1997.[13]
ReplyDeleteHe coached Marshall Faulk from 1992 to 1993[14] while serving at San Diego State.
As OC at Miami University, he helped RB Deland McCullough run for over 1,100 yards.[15] In 1995, the team scored the most points in a season (326) since 1986 and finished 8-2-1.[16] RB Deland McCullough ran for over 1,600 yards with 14 TD and QB Sam Ricketts also threw 14 TD.
At the University of Illinois in 1996,[17] he coached QB Scott Weaver, who completed 56% of his passes for over 1,700 yards and 7 TD.
You make an interesting point, and it's certainly a possibility with the offensive talent already in place. However, I think with all the uncertainty surrounding the franchise in regards to LA that ownership will opt to keep McCoy and instead bring in new defensive staff. Rivers really likes McCoy and the Chargers want to keep Rivers happy, especially if they do move to LA. I also think this uncertainty about location would be a negative for Payton. Even if Payton didn't care as whether the team is in San Diego or LA, I ultimately see the Chargers giving McCoy another chance and bringing in some new assistants. I like the thought though of Payton working with Rivers.
ReplyDeleteI know McCoy is in his 3rd year, but I think all the various injuries they're having will get him another year to also see what the team can do under him when healthy.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, but then again Rivers really really liked working w/ Norval Turner too and he is gone. The move and injury's give McCoy another shot but I think Phillip would really enjoy working with Payton in SD. Can only go 9-7 so many times and this year is a total snowball of disappointment. I really like Pagano but he is probably going to get the axe at the end of the year...
ReplyDeleteSD Needs a coach who will be a gunslinger and make some gutty calls like Payton unlike conservative McCoy and Reich gameplans. 2-7 gets you fired most of the time but I believe McCoy does get one more year.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Rivers would love working with Payton, but I think McCoy would be more agressive if he had some semblance of a running game. Thinking about it some more, I also think Payton would prefer a team that would also be willing to sign Brees - who could very well be a cap casualty if Payton leaves New Orleans.
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