REPORT: Broncos to Hire Sean Payton, Have to Give the Saints a HAUL to Do It

January 31, 2023, by Patrick K. Flowers NFL

Another domino on the head coaching carousel has fallen this afternoon. Multiple reports have the Denver Broncos hiring Sean Payton as their new head coach this afternoon.

The #Broncos and Sean Payton have ramped up talks, and the former #Saints coach now appears to be a top target to be Denver’s new head coach, sources tell me and @TomPelissero.

A trade and contract must be worked out. And the sides are working. pic.twitter.com/RfHJgwtijN
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 31, 2023

Of course, Payton is still under contract with the New Orleans Saints, so a deal between the two sides must be worked out regarding compensation for New Orleans.

According to Adam Schefter, those details have been worked out:

Compensation: Denver’s 2023 first-round pick and next year’s second-round pick for Sean Payton and the Saints’ 2024 third.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 31, 2023

After a disastrous 5-12 season and a last-place finish in the AFC West, Denver and their new ownership group were looking to take a big swing with their next head coach after ending their 15-game experiment with rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett following an embarrassing Christmas Day loss to the Rams last month.

Payton fit the bill perfectly.

Payton won a Super Bowl in 2009 and helped turn Drew Brees into a Hall of Famer after the Chargers discarded him. Now he’ll try to get Russell Wilson back on tract and revive the Denver Broncos.

Filed to: NFL