I'm skeptical too, but I was skeptical, to the point of openly mocking the idea, when the noise started about him leaving happened and we all know what a kick in the genitalia that turned out to be. As far as Loomis goes I don't think he can afford to not bring Payton back if he wants back in to be honest. I think Gayle outright said when Sean first broke the news her response was to take a long vacation and think about it after, if that isn't confirmed it was certainly rumored. Loomis also isn't an idiot and knows fan expectations with Allen will be in the gutter, one guy even went so far as to tell him that at a public appearance. Unless he thinks he has a better option than Payton that isn't Dennis Allen he'd be in for loads of criticism by choosing not to bring him back.