Was the Saints' Front Office (e.g., Loomis) Fleeced on the Sean Payton Trade?

Same here. I kept saying that Mickey had all the leverage once it became known that Payton was getting back into coaching, and he should have held out for a better deal. Instead, he folded like a cheap suit like he always does.
How do you know that? If you think holding out much longer would have yielded a better result, I'll have what you're smoking.

Remember, the clock was ticking. The longer they negotiate, the less leverage the Saints would have.