Jeff Duncan on Sean Payton 2023

Saint Spud said

You’re not wrong. At all.

Personally, I kinda file it under “some really talented people can be pains in the butt.” Higher-ups ultimately have to decide if the pain-in-the-butt-ness is worth it.

With SP at the HC position, I’m taking it 100 times out of 100. But I can understand if other people feel differently.

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Payton is a proven coach in a tough business, where success doesn't come easily, and most will fall well short of their own goals and others' expectations. I remain a fan of his.

But if the various reports are true linking him to other opportunities over the years, that's tough to ignore when thinking of the plausibility of a second stint with the Saints. Add in that he resigned from this organization just months ago and it's difficult to imagine he's feeling any kind of serious interest in returning here, unless, for some reason, coming back to honor the remainder of his contract becomes a necessary step in navigating the rest of his future in coaching.

I'd love to have him back in a scenario where he makes it clear this is where he wants to be and he is ready to renew a longterm commitment, but I'm highly skeptical that's an idea with any real merit to it.