NEWSLETTER
The Denver Broncos are wasting little time in seeking out a new head coach.
And are reportedly targeting a big name at that.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Broncos have asked (and been given!) permission from the New Orleans Saints to interview Sean Payton for their head-coaching vacancy:
Payton, who left New Orleans after last season and has spent this year on FOX’s NFL coverage, is still under contract with the Saints. This means that if the Broncos and Payton strike a deal, Denver will need to cough up some compensation to make the deal go through. But after making a sizable investment to acquire Russell Wilson last offseason, there probably isn’t a price too high to pay in an attempt to salvage what’s left of that deal.
The Broncos still have to satisfy Rooney Rule requirements before hiring a head coach. And because they can’t interview Payton in person until at least January 17, they have time to thoroughly go through that process. Nevertheless, that they’ve already requested (and been granted) permission to interview Payton is a big deal. Not only because this is the first of many shoes to drop in the offseason coaching carousel, but also because Payton is the biggest name on the market. In other words, Denver might have its eyes set on Payton for its job. But I doubt the Broncos are the only team wanting to inquire about Payton’s services. We’ll continue monitoring this (and other openings) with great interest.
