Jeff Duncan on Sean Payton 2023

I was not passing moral judgment on Sean Payton. I was merely saying what I believed was going on. I respect the opinion of anyone who disagrees. But there was much smoke about Payton going to Miami until its former coach sued the team and league for racial discrimination. And as soon as Payton left, he started talking about coaching again. Yes, I firmly believe that if Payton had a top quarterback and a team he thought was a legitimate playoff contender, there is no way he would have left the Saints. And regarding burnout, there may have been some--it is tough coaching a team where the team's expectations readily exceed its talent level and potential--but Gayle Benson reportedly offered to let him take time away and later return as a head coach. In my opinion, Sean Payton saw the condition of the team and decided it was his best interests professionally to move on. Again, no moral judgment. I am not arguing what he should have done, only why he did what he did.

Finally, yes, when Vince Lombardi stepped down at Green Bay, he was physically and mentally tired and had been for several years battling health issues. But we do know that shortly after stepping down as head coach--he remained the team's general manager--he wanted to return to coaching. Indeed, Lombardi seriously discussed becoming coach of the expansion Atlanta Falcons in 1966 in return for a huge contract and a small piece of the franchise. And we definitely know that his stepping down as head coach coincided with the team's talent level taking a noticeable turn downward. His last year as head coach, 1967, was the team's "last hurrah"--coaching was a factor, but age and talent were huge factors. Like Sean, Lombardi chose to leave just when it was clear that his team was about to take a turn for the worse because of the talent on the roster.