The New Orleans Saints just dealt with the loss of franchise icon Drew Brees last season. Now they face potentially losing another mainstay in head coach Sean Payton.
According to the latest report from NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the status of the Saints coach remains up in the air at this point with several attempts to contact him going unanswered.
Sources say that Payton, who has three years left on his contract, has not committed to returning to coach for another season in New Orleans. He has not yet informed the organization for whom he's coached since 2006 that he will definitely return.
Payton is said to be on vacation at present and could simply be enjoying his time while disconnected from the NFL world after what was reportedly an “incredibly challenging and difficult” season with the Saints. While nothing is confirmed just yet, the thought of Sean Payton retiring and therefore forfeiting tens of millions in guaranteed contract money is tough to image, but apparently not outside the realm of possibility.
One of the highest-paid coaches in the NFL, Payton is under contract through the 2024 season. Him walking away from at least $45 million is hard to fathom, but it has not been ruled out, sources say.
Sean Payton first joined the Saints back in 2006 after three seasons as the offensive coordinator for the New York Giants. That was the same year that Drew Brees signed with the organization as well, which began a 15-year partnership with Payton that ended last season.
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