Sean Payton “Open To” Inquiries From Other NFL Teams

October 15, 2015

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Saints HC Sean Payton is “open to” listening to inquiries from NFL teams with coaching vacancies.

Rapoport adds that talks between Payton and interested teams may ultimately turn into nothing, but it sounds like he’s at least willing to see what’s out there.

Earlier in the day, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported that people around the league are convinced that Payton will be coaching the Dolphins in 2016.

Meanwhile, Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen reported there’s enough precedent and circumstances to expect the idea of the Saints possibly trading Payton to be a “hot-button story” during the offseason.

As of now, there’s no indication that the Saints would be willing to field trade offers for Payton after the season. However, the Dolphins and Colts have been identified as two possible teams that could be interested in a trade for Payton.

It’s worth mentioning that Payton did his best to shoot down the speculation that he could move on from the Saints next year on Monday.

“Let’s go back through it,” Payton said. “A year ago there was a report from Peter King. . . . I think that happens when you’re in year ten, I think, and you’re not having success. There’s this, ‘Well, you know, is there another job he’d be interested in?’ So my point if you predict that every year at some point someone’s gonna be right, whether you retire or you finish or you’re let go. I mean, I think that’s just a little bit of the nature of our game right now. I don’t know what else to say.

“I love it here. I’m close to my children. I bought a — just built a brand new place here. So you get tired of answering the questions and yet I understand you asking. And I’ll say what I said before. This is where I see myself. And I’ve said that now, for however many years.”

Payton is under contract through the 2017 season, and makes $8 million per year with this agreement. However, Schefter had said previously that Payton’s contract will not deter teams from approaching the Saints about a potential deal.

Payton, 51, has lead the Saints to a record of 81-51 (61.3 percent) including their only Super Bowl title over the course of eight-plus seasons in New Orleans.

We’ll have more regarding Payton’s future with either the Saints or other NFL teams as the news is available.