The expectation around the NFL is that former Saints head coach Sean Payton will eventually return to the sideline. In fact, he could return as early as this offseason.
Former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi appeared on The Pat McAfee Show this Friday to offer his thoughts on Payton’s future.
Lombardi believes Payton will choose his next team more so because of its owner rather than its quarterback.
“The decision-making has more to do with the relationship with the owner than it does with who’s the quarterback,” Lombardi said. “The owner gives you a sense of what you’re able to build and how you’re able to build it.”
Payton hinted at this exact dynamic during a previous interview with The Spun.
“I think the most important thing is functional leadership,” Payton told The Spun. “True ownership in the front office with the willingness to want to win and understand how to do that. I don’t want to be somewhere looking back at it, saying, ‘Man.’ I know how good it was in New Orleans, and I know Mickey Loomis well as a friend and as general manager. And I know Mrs. Benson, their ownership group there. There’s a reason we had success year in and year out. So I don’t want to feel like handcuffed somewhere you can’t win – and there are a few of those places. And so other than that, I really kind of remove myself from looking at each individual place. I’m aware of some places, and other places, maybe not as familiar.”
All the rumors surrounding Payton should heat up after Week 18. That’s because we’ll know which jobs are available.