The Denver Broncos have their new head coach. According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Broncos are expected to give the job to Sean Payton after agreeing on the compensation with the New Orleans Saints.
Payton stepped down as the Saints’ head coach after the 2021 NFL season and moved to broadcasting. However, he remained under contract with the franchise, and any team that wanted to hire him had to strike a deal with the Saints.
The Broncos will reportedly send the No. 30 pick in 2023 and the second-round pick in 2024 to New Orleans. In exchange, they are getting Payton and a third-rounder in next year’s draft.
Sean Payton was the most prominent name available on the head-coaching market, and every team with an opening at least made a call to gauge his level of interest. Payton ended up interviewing all of them except the Indianapolis Colts. Still, Denver ended up making the best pitch to convince him to return to coaching after a one-year sabbatical.
Prior to zeroing in on Payton, the Broncos also interviewed the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans and Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh. Ryans ended up landing the Houston Texans’ head coaching job, while Harbaugh decided to return to Michigan.
Payton spent 15 seasons as a head coach of the New Orleans Saints. He compiled a 152-89 record during the regular season and made the playoffs nine times. During Payton’s time in charge, the Saints won seven NFC South titles and were crowned the Super Bowl champions in 2009.
