Jeff Duncan on Sean Payton 2023


Really good discussion. They both agree at the beginning that it feels like a long shot, but also give some compelling reasons why it’s not completely unreasonable either.

Also some other good nuggets about how “people close to Payton” operate and how their previous leaked info has borne out.
 
Payton asked Jeff Duncan to put this story out there in order to raise his own value with other suitors like the Cowboys, Chargers, Cardinals. Why aren't the Saints putting a cabash on it? Because it helps them to raise his value. Payton had every opportunity to take a one year break from coaching and then come back to the Saints. Instead, he created a parade. I don't think anyone is going to want him unless it's the Cowboys.
I don't buy that at all. Dallas is hardly the only team out there who would want him. There are clearly other teams who would make good offers for his services. He's gonna be one of the most sought after coaches this offseason.

Payton had his reasons for leaving. I really don't much care what they were. Doesn't really matter at this point. He has some decisions to make and that includes whether he goes back to the Saints, or pushes for a trade to another team.

The Saints front office should and I think will make a play to get the most out of a trade or make an offer to keep him on board with an extension. He's gonna make a mint either way.

I'd prefer he return and coach with us because it solves a lot of issues on the coaching side and maybe it helps restore the players' confidence in the organization.

That said, if he goes elsewhere, then getting a good trade offer has to be top priority.
 
So Rapoport confirms Duncan’s report through his own independent reporting. Will people stop dumping on him now or nah?
Did Rapoport confirm Duncan’s reporting? Or merely cite it?

I guess if we want SP back we need to root for Dallas and San Diego. He was linked to Arizona as well, but there’s no point in rooting for them—they’re done.

I’ve never heard that he would be interested in the Rams. When it comes to future draft capital, they make us look like the NFL’s version of the Pelicans. They also have a QB who looks just about done. That said, there’s talk that McVay has his eye on the broadcast booth, so that job may come open. He can win a Super Bowl with Herbert. Not sure if he can do it with the Rams.

Edit: But the Rams don't have a first this year and need to conserve their draft picks in any event.
 
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Did Rapoport confirm Duncan’s reporting? Or merely cite it?

I guess if we want SP back we need to root for Dallas and San Diego. He was linked to Arizona as well, but there’s no point in rooting for them—they’re done.

I’ve never heard that he would be interested in the Rams. When it comes to future draft capital, they make us look like the NFL’s version of the Pelicans. They also have a QB who looks just about done. That said, there’s talk that McVay has his eye on the broadcast booth, so that job may come open. He can win a Super Bowl with Herbert. Not sure if he can do it with the Rams.

Edit: But the Rams don't have a first this year and need to conserve their draft picks in any event.
Listen to the report. He confirmed it independently.
 
Did Rapoport confirm Duncan’s reporting? Or merely cite it?

I guess if we want SP back we need to root for Dallas and San Diego. He was linked to Arizona as well, but there’s no point in rooting for them—they’re done.

I’ve never heard that he would be interested in the Rams. When it comes to future draft capital, they make us look like the NFL’s version of the Pelicans. They also have a QB who looks just about done. That said, there’s talk that McVay has his eye on the broadcast booth, so that job may come open. He can win a Super Bowl with Herbert. Not sure if he can do it with the Rams.

Edit: But the Rams don't have a first this year and need to conserve their draft picks in any event.

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.
 
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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 Chargers did fire Marty S. after going 14-2.
 
The Chargers did fire Marty S. after going 14-2.
True. Marty was around for a while though. He had a lot of one-and-done’s as HC on different teams.

Staley’s a first time HC, who’s only 40 years old. I’d be shocked if they gave up on him so early, even if it’s for Payton. He’s on the verge of making the playoffs in year 2 after finishing 9-8 in his first year. I think Herbert can keep progressing with Lombardi as his OC while the Chargers add more good players.
 
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Payton’s interest in coaching the 3 west coast teams is one-sided right now. There hasn’t been indication that the Chargers and Cardinals want to move on from Staley and Kingsbury. Articles are speculating that the teams will have interest based on Payton having interest and assuming the Chargers are missing the playoffs. They have to create the openings just like we need to make our HC position available.

Has a team ever fired a coach one year after extending the coach with guaranteed money?
 
I always thought the Payton to Dallas thing was more national media driven. You can be good friends with people but that doesn't always mean you want to work for them. If Payton can be retained by the Saints, then this whole thing becomes rather unique. Do you pull for the Chargers to win so they don't fire their coach or do you pull for them to lose because if they fire their coach and secure Payton via trade, you get a better draft pick?

I'm not a believer in the Cardinals job. They just gave Murray a ridiculous contract that will hamstring any future coach. They may fire Kingsbury but that job got a whole lot worse with the Murray injury on Monday night. Murray will not be back until mid season next year. Jameis still wasn't himself before he suffered a foot injury in training camp, the ACL injury from Halloween 2021 was still affecting him a little bit in July, he began working off the side at camp.

There is gonna be a darkhorse somewhere, everyone that has a coaching vacancy is gonna approach Payton.
 

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