For me, I disregard practically everything Payton has achieved thus far and look at this season as a fresh assessment of his skillset because I don't know what kind of coach he is without Drew Brees.
Can't disregard the 2006 season. He had an entire roster to manage and a new scheme to implement and the team went 10-6.
Ultimately, Sean has to think about the challenges of that first season and how he handled it. He didn't yet have chemistry with Brees and I don't think the main focal point was the passing offense yet. On the defensive side, the team was way worse than what it is now. I´m sure Sean will ease the QB he chooses, while putting more pressure on his best offensive players (Kamara and Thomas). The team also has the luxury of having a good defense that can slow down the game. If the QB shows progression, he can start making more sofisticated calls. But using the 2006 blueprint might be the key to this season.