The New Orleans Saints face an uncertain future amid the potential departure of longtime head coach Sean Payton. The Saints are anxiously awaiting the decision on Payton's future with the franchise, and it seems no one has any idea what the 58-year-old plans to do. After Saints' owner Gayle Benson confirmed as much with her comments on Monday, reports indicate that Payton met with Saints GM Mickey Loomis on Tuesday after returning from vacation. Per Fox 8's Jeff Duncan, the possibility of Payton parting ways with the Saints is “serious.”

The meeting reportedly lasted a couple of hours, but it doesn't seem as if Saints' brass is feeling any more confident about Payton returning to the franchise. When asked about the possibility of Payton leaving New Orleans, Duncan said, “very much it's serious.”

Duncan suggests that there are various reasons Payton could be looking towards a Saints exit. Drew Brees' retirement had a significant impact on his job with the Saints, and Duncan also mentions that the pandemic has fatigued Payton.

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“The COVID pandemic has taken its toll on everybody… and I think Sean Payton is no different. This past season was very tough on him, and he got worn down by season's end.”

Payton has been the Saints' head coach for 15 seasons, and he is the second-longest tenured active head coach in the NFL. Payton stepped into the role in 2006 and has been with the team ever since, though he missed the 2012 season as a result of the Bountygate scandal. Across his 15 seasons, Payton won one Super Bowl and has logged a 152-89 record.