Jeff Duncan on Sean Payton 2023 (1 Viewer)

[DaveXA]

Payton wanted Bridgewater and then he would have drafted Pickett. That was his plan before he decided to retire. He wouldn't have gotten Olave or Penning.

Bridgewater was gone long before Payton left. He wasn't an option. And maybe he drafts Pickett, idk.

 

[Saint Spud]

Bridgewater was gone long before Payton left. He wasn't an option. And maybe he drafts Pickett, idk.

He was repeating what Underhill said. Payton wanted to go sign Teddy and draft Pickett.

 

[NatureBoy]

Would the Chargers really fire Staley if they make the playoffs? Their remaining schedule (vs. Titans, at Colts, vs. Rams, & at Broncos) suggests that they should make the playoffs compared to the Patriots schedule. Seems like they’d have to give those games away and play down to the level of those teams to go less than 3-1 or 4-0 during that stretch and 10-7 or 11-6 overall.

Assuming the Chargers make the playoffs and Cardinals keep Kingsbury 9 months after giving him an extension, it’s more than likely that there won’t be any openings for Payton to coach elsewhere. The Rams don’t have the assets to trade, plus McVay’s extension. Staley has to practically lay down and blow those games to lose his job.

Potential openings are heavily dependent on one coach walking away, another coach falling apart and those teams owners willing to just eat their coaches’ new extension money and give up first round draft picks while doing so.

The Spanos family (Chargers ownership) is incredibly stupid. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting/knowing/working with a lot of ultra wealthy and influential people. Chargers ownership is at the bottom of the food chain. They have the uncanny abiility to ruin a good situation. Sean knows this, everyone in the league knows. Heck, one of their own family members knows and is trying to force them in to selling the team. I wouldn’t touch that job with a 10’foot pole unless I had full control, a long guaranteed contract and the latitude to never have to talk to or consult with them. And Dean wouldn't be allowed in the locker room, the sideline or at practice to sniff jocks. The ego driven Spanos clan could never do that. In an interview I read Sean said it’s about “the people”. If that’s truly the case, the Chargers can’t be high on his list.

 

[SonOfNOLA]

The Cowboys made the playoffs in 2018 and still tried to work out a trade for Payton.

That was when Jason Garrett was HC though. He was mostly a 8-8/9-7 coach, with a couple 12+ win seasons sprinkled in, which were quick one game playoff exits.

McCarthy has history of winning a lot of wildcards and divisionals, plus a Super Bowl win. I think he can repeat the same wildcard & divisional round success with the Cowboys if they don’t give up on him so fast. It’d be real Cowboys-like, but I can’t see the rook Purdy beating the Cowboys if the 49ers and Cowboys face off in the wildcard this season.

Payton would have to make a NFCCG appearance in his first year in Dallas at the least. And a Super Bowl the next year. The roster is SB-ready, but that’s some crazy media and FO pressure to deal with daily as soon as he’d step in.

 

[DaveXA]

He was repeating what Underhill said. Payton wanted to go sign Teddy and draft Pickett.

Not sure why Underhill would say that either. Teddy was never an option, I don't think. Unless he meant we go out and try to acquire him.

 

[Saint Spud]

Not sure why Underhill would say that either. Teddy was never an option, I don't think. Unless he meant we go out and try to acquire him.

He did. Teddy was a FA this offseason.

 

[DaveXA]

He did. Teddy was a FA this offseason.

Ah, that would make sense then. I thought he was on another team at the time.

I'm not convinced he does that with Winston and Dalton already in the fold tho.

 

[Saint Spud]

Ah, that would make sense then. I thought he was on another team at the time.

Yeah, it’s worth a listen if you’ve got some down time. Some interesting stuff about how Payton and his “insiders” operate. Like his insiders were telling everyone Payton wanted to leave to take the Colts job in 2015 (and it turned out to be true).

 

[DSnfla]

Payton wanted Bridgewater and then he would have drafted Pickett. That was his plan before he decided to retire. He wouldn't have gotten Olave or Penning.

Where did SP say he would have drafted Pickett?

 

[DaveXA]

Where did SP say he would have drafted Pickett?

I don't recall him saying Pickett, but I was hoping we'd draft Pickett rather than trade for Watson. That said, I'm happy with Olave and Penning in the fold. They'll be solid contributors for years to come, hopefully.

 

[DavidM]

Yeah, it’s worth a listen if you’ve got some down time. Some interesting stuff about how Payton and his “insiders” operate. Like his insiders were telling everyone Payton wanted to leave to take the Colts job in 2015 (and it turned out to be true).

Damn, how many other jobs was Payton linked to while he was here!? And people believe he wants to come back?

 

[sfidc3]

Surely we aren’t still doing this? Winston is done as a Saint unless Dalton gets injured. There is absolutely no way Payton comes back to New Orleans to coach Winston, he isn’t good at all.

Another JW is done and is no good with no real data or evidence behind the statement....He is only 28, played injured (and as a result...poorly) in a few games last year after a promising start last year. I could see CSP with a healthy JW coming in and proving all the doubters like you....wrong....I would love to see it

 

[Saint Spud]

Damn, how many other jobs was Payton linked to while he was here!? And people believe he wants to come back?

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.

 

[No2DC]

We don't have a first round draft pick for '23. Need an interim qb for the '23 season and draft one in '24. Winston or Dalton will most likely have to be one of the starters next season and if we hold onto Taysom, he could be the backup option for '23.

All of that could change if a good FA QB is available.

I know, I just think we need to be looking regardless of round.

 

[DavidM]

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.

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.