I think the problem for Payton, in addition to the more two high Safeties that Ellias mentioned, is that teams have been putting LBs on the field that are better in coverage and playing more 4-2-5 defenses as a base in response to offenses like Payton's that created mismatches for RBs and TEs by getting them on LBs that can't cover as well. The Shanahan/Kubiak scheme takes advantage of that by using outside zone runs against those DBs in the 4-2-5 and smaller coverage LBs. Eventually NFL teams will adjust again an it will be time for systems like Payton's to shine again.
I think the bigger issue that CSP has in Denver is he targeted the wrong QB.....I really don't think Nix is a franchise QB.....It's reasonable to expect him to struggle this year, next year will be more telling IMO.....
When Payton retires, I think he's going to want a GM job somewhere just like his mentor Bill Parcels. But, personally, I would not want Payton the GM. Payton head of scouting offensive players, maybe, but not as a GM.
I love CSP the HC, CSP the personnel decision maker not so much, he was awful at it.....thankfully he hired Jeff Ireland.....Don't think he is GM material honestly....