“Silly season” surrounding the annual coaching carousel is in full swing across the college football landscape, and it’s starting to bleed over into the NFL. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano reports new information on a couple of teams that have caught the attention of former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton. Payton stepped down early this year but is already eyeing opportunities in 2023, and at least one of them might be a worst-case scenario for the Saints.
Fowler lists the Los Angeles Chargers as one team commanding Payton’s attention, saying that “Some around the league believe he would wait that one out (if the Saints would trade his rights, of course).” Payton’s coaching rights are tied to the Saints for 2023 and 2024, and his trade value diminishes the longer he’s away from the NFL ranks. If the Chargers give Brandon Staley another year and Payton waits until the job opens up in 2024, the Saints wouldn’t have any shot at recouping a first-round pick in the coming draft and any compensation they eventually get will be undervalued.
