Former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has been linked with a return to the NFL in a shocking move which would see him join his former team's rivals in the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers fired Matt Rhule after a 1-4 start to the season. In the 2020 offseason, the former Baylor head coach was one of the hottest names available coming from college, and was seen as an offensive genius - something teams have been looking to replicate as a number of young, offensive-minded coaches have faired well - such as Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan and Matt LaFluer.
He was given a seven-year, $62 million contract after he had reportedly turn down offers from other NFL organisations - following the takeover of the Panthers from billionaire David Tepper.
However, after just two full season and an 11-27 record, Rhule has been axed by Tepper and the Panthers. And now, the man who has been named as a potential replacement is Payton.
A deal may be difficult, though, with the Saints still owning his rights as their former head coach until 2024. This is because Payton chose to leave the team, rather than being fired.
Should the Panthers, or any other team, wish to attempt to hire Payton, they must trade for his rights from the Saints - something they'll likely not be interested in doing to a rival such as Carolina.
Payton has been long-linked to a return the Dallas Cowboys, with whom he spent three seasons as a quarterbacks coach and assistant head coach.
Payton's impressive 152-89 win/loss record and one Super Bowl championship will see him at the forefront of franchises wishes' this off-season should they be looking for a new coach, and the Panthers may look to jump the queue ahead of them.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport tweeted: "Sean Payton will likely be at the top of this list, just like he is going to be at the top of every list. But hard to imagine any world in which the Saints - who have his rights until 2024 - would be cool sending Payton to a division rival."
