Reports: Sean Payton Interested In Potential Cardinals Openings
Sean Payton, the former head coach of the New Orleans Saints, made a suggestion earlier this year that he hoped to one day work as a coach again.
The likelihood of that day occurring soon is increasing.
According to Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano of ESPN, Payton has his eye on the Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals, two NFL teams that may change their head coaches this offseason.
Sean Payton Interested In Potential Cardinals Openings
Sean Payton has his eyes on head coaching openings with either the Arizona Cardinals or the LA Chargers, per @JFowlerESPN and @DanGrazianoESPN.
— Johnny Venerable (@JohnnyVenerable) November 23, 2022
The head coaching positions with the Cardinals and Chargers are both filled at the moment. However, it seems likely that Kliff Kingsbury and Brandon Staley will both be fired, particularly if the front offices of each team believe they can replace them with Payton.
Part of me feels like he knows he’s going to be replaced with #SeanPayton this man looks defeated… https://t.co/NaWemD0bt4
— Kyler (@KylerMurraywins) November 23, 2022
In his four seasons with the Cardinals, Kingsbury is 28-31-1. He took the team to the playoffs the previous year, but after a humiliating loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football, the team’s record fell to 4-7 this year.
Cardinals a potential coaching destination for Sean Payton https://t.co/eKMqlYubkL
— Jess Root (@senorjessroot) November 23, 2022
In two seasons with the Chargers, Staley has a 14-13 record. Despite having one of the top young quarterbacks in the game Justin Herbert, his club is in danger of missing the postseason for the second year in a row.
After 15 seasons as the New Orleans Saints head coach, Payton retired last year. He spent the majority of his time working alongside Drew Brees and guided the Saints to nine seasons with 10 wins and a Super Bowl victory in 2009.
If Michael Bidwill truly wants to win, he'll fire Steve Keim and Kliff Kingsbury, hire Sean Payton, and give Sean Payton all controlling power over the team he wants.
It's time for a change in the desert.
— Alex Clancy (@ClancysCorner) November 23, 2022
The 58-year-old Payton indicated earlier this month that he still has the itch to coach once more. Payton has worked as a studio commentator for Fox this season. In case of quarterback Lamar Jackson doesn’t re-sign with the Baltimore Ravens and becomes a free agent, he also made light of the possibility of working with Jackson.
Payton also mentioned that a number of poorly-run teams across the league are forcing him to be pickier when it comes to making a return to coaching.
Here’s a fun clip of Sean Payton talking Kyler Murray at the combine prior to the 2019 draft
“His tape is too good. I like him.” pic.twitter.com/WP1jvAbWqA
— Trent (@RedSeaTrent) November 23, 2022
“I think there are a lot of dysfunctional teams in our league,” Payton said. “There are some places where talent can die. I just want to avoid those places.”
Saints fans will do whatever they gotta do to get @SeanPayton back pic.twitter.com/NSUTXOkkHu
— Jono Barnes (@JonoBarnes) November 17, 2022
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