Although the Broncos’ head coaching search had experienced some turbulence, the franchise may well be on the verge of sticking the landing. The Broncos and Saints are finalizing terms on a trade for Sean Payton’s rights, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).
Payton is expected to become the Broncos’ next head coach. This will be the former Saints leader’s second opportunity as an NFL HC. While Payton had been connected to staying at FOX for another year and waiting for the 2024 hiring period, the Broncos look to have changed his mind.
This blockbuster transaction will lead to the Saints receiving compensation for their 16-year head coach, who stepped down after the 2021 season. The teams have finalized the compensation, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter). The Broncos gave the Saints a choice of two trade packages, Schefter adds. The Saints could have received the Broncos’ 2024 first-round pick and a 2023 fourth or a package that sends Denver’s 2023 first-rounder and 2024 second to New Orleans. The latter deal, which the Saints preferred, will see Denver acquire New Orleans’ 2024 third-round pick (Twitter link).
As far as compensation goes, this is a significant haul. The Broncos join the Jets, Patriots and Buccaneers in agreeing to send first-round picks for coaches over the past 30 years. Payton interviewed with four of the five HC-needy teams this year but made the Broncos his first meeting. The Broncos will have a depleted 2023 draft arsenal, thanks to the deals for Payton and Russell Wilson. But Payton will be by far the franchise’s highest-profile HC since Mike Shanahan.
This process included twists and turns. Payton, 59, was believed to be intrigued by both the new Broncos ownership contingent and the prospect of coaching Russell Wilson. The latter had included the Saints on his initial list of acceptable trade destinations back in 2021. While the Seahawks did not end up trading Wilson that year, Payton will sign on to coach the potential Hall of Fame passer on the heels of his worst NFL season. Wilson reached out to Payton during the process, and while the former Super Bowl-winning HC was connected to the Cowboys and Chargers’ jobs months ago, he will pass on those potentially opening up down the line to accept the Broncos’ offer. Said offer is likely to be massive, given the leverage Payton possessed.
Reports pegged Payton as both being onboard with Denver’s Rob Walton-fronted ownership contingent and potentially fearing a power struggle with one of the struggling team’s new owners. Payton made a point to directly refute the latter stance, and it should be expected he will have final say when it comes to the Broncos’ roster. GM George Paton had held that control from 2021-22, and while a phonetically challenging Payton-Paton partnership could still be in the works, the team’s new head coach is believed to want to bring some personnel staffers with him. New Broncos CEO Greg Penner said both Paton and the team’s next HC will report directly to him. Tuesday’s hire stands to significantly diminish Paton’s power, though the rumored Broncos big swing happening represents a major development for a team that has swung and missed on a few HCs in recent years.
More to come.