The New Orleans Saints have given the Denver Broncos permission to interview Sean Payton for their head coach opening, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday evening.
Payton, 59, stepped down from his role coaching the Saints after the 2021 season, but he is still under contract with New Orleans. So if the Broncos — or any other team — are going to hire Payton, they will need to compensate the Saints for the rights to the coach.
Payton was named AP Coach of the Year following the 2006 season and he led New Orleans to a win in Super Bowl XLIV in 2009. In 15 years with the Saints, Payton went 152-89 and won seven NFC South division titles.
Payton joins Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh as the first two known candidates for Denver’s head coach opening after the Broncos fired Nathaniel Hackett.
The earliest Denver could hold an in-person interview with Payton is January 17, according to Schefter.
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