We’ll file this one under “as expected.” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported that the New Orleans Saints are expecting a call from the Arizona Cardinals concerning former head coach Sean Payton, which came in shortly before the Cardinals dismissed fourth-year head coach Kliff Kingsbury.
Now that Kingsbury has been shown the door (along with longtime general manager Steve Keim), the Cardinals look like one of the more-attractive job opportunities around the league. Payton would have the option to bring an executive like Jeff Ireland or Khai Harley with him from New Orleans to the desert, where he would be coaching an established quarterback in Khai Harley. Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell is known as a hands-off type, so Payton would probably have the same level of autonomy he’s enjoyed with the Saints.
