Sean Payton was one of the best head coaches the Saints had in their history. and with his retirement, he’s left big shoes to fill. However, he might just be eyeing a return.
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New Orleans was a highly competitive team for most of Sean Payton’s tenure. He coached the team from 2006 to 2021, and during that time, there were some all-time highs and all-time lows.
Of course, no moment beats the 2009-10 season. The Saints finished 13-3 that year. They faced a tough path to the Super Bowl, but they made it there in grand fashion.
New Orleans dominated the Arizona Cardinals 45-14 in the Divisional Round, and then they eeked out an overtime win against the Minnesota Vikings, 31-28 in the NFC Championship game.
Then, in an epic quarterback duel, Drew Brees beat out Peyton Manning and the Colts 31-17 in the Super Bowl. Sean Payton made one of the gutsiest calls in Super Bowl history when he elected to go for an onside kick in the second half, giving the Saints the ball after shocking the Colts.
Sean Payton’s decision to go for an onside kick in Super Bowl XLIV changed the history of the @Saints forever. 🙌 (via @nflthrowback) pic.twitter.com/d0noXYnEuJ
— NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2022
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Why did Sean Payton retire?
There were no external factors that influenced Sean Payton’s decision. After compiling a 152-89 record with the Saints, he decided he needed some time to himself.
“There’s a lot of sacrifices that you make,” Payton said of being an NFL head coach. “I looked at it as an opportunity to see my kids more, to travel more to get in better shape.”
Sean Payton has achieved whatever he could have wanted from an NFL career, and now, he just wants to settle down and enjoy things as it is. However, as it is with players or coaches who retire, it’s hard for them to step away completely.
Sean Payton to the Bears?
Earlier in the year, the idea of the Bears hiring Sean Payton had floated around. This was when the Bears were looking to move on from Matt Nagy, and all options were available.
There was a trade being discussed for Sean Payton, but it didn’t come to fruition, and here we are now. The Bears are still in the first year of a new coaching regime, so it’s probably unlikely they go for Payton now, but the option still exists if they want to bring him on.
Payton to the Cardinals
Kliff Kingsbury’s coaching job is under so much pressure right now. Despite a competitive roster and a supposed franchise quarterback, the Cardinals haven’t achieved much success in the past few years. Sean Payton could be in for a ride in the desert.
A trip to the Chargers?
The Chargers are in a similar situation, but they haven’t had as long a run with Justin Herbert as the Cardinals have with Murray. However, they probably need more time as this year, injuries downed the team really bad.
