With the New Orleans Saints not in the playoffs for the first time in five seasons, there are questions about what’s next for the franchise, starting with coach Sean Payton’s future. An NFL Network report says Payton has not committed to returning next season, but Saints insider Mike Detillier says his gut tells him Payton will be back next season.
“I’ve always believed Sean’s not a lifer in this business,” said Detillier. “You listen to him talk, he’s not a lifer. He won’t be coaching when he’s 70 years old, but I think he does coach the Saints in 2022.
The NFL Network says they made multiple attempts to reach out to Payton for comment, but the requests were not returned. Detillier doesn’t see much to read into Payton’s current silence, but he also believes that we are nearing the end of his time in New Orleans.
“For Sean to get away for a while and think about what he wants to do one day, I get it totally,” Detillier added. “But I do think he coaches in 2022, but I think the read that he’s going to be coaching here a long time, is maybe a wrong read.”
The NFL Network reports that Payton could leave the Saints for a job in TV as a football analyst. While TV networks have long viewed Payton as a potential star, Detilier doesn’t see that flirtation going anywhere just yet.
“There is something to that (NFL Network) report,” he said, “in the fact that the networks are interested in him. And why wouldn’t you give that some thought if you had that opportunity? But I think he returns.”
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