With quite a few teaching vacancies across the NFL there’s one identify that retains popping up because the golden goose of 2022: Sean Payton. The former Super Bowl profitable coach of the New Orleans Saints is on the verge of returning to the league, and with it the hype and expectation that he can carry quick success to an ailing franchise.
Payton is nice, make no mistake, and his return to the league following a break comes on the good time for him. The majority of high coordinators are both nonetheless within the playoffs, have accepted head teaching positions, or would somewhat keep of their present organizations to attempt to maintain pushing for a championship, ready to see if completely different positions come accessible sooner or later.
There are way more openings proper now than sure-thing head coaches, and this vacuum has led to Payton changing into the most popular identify within the teaching rumors. To complicate issues he’s nonetheless beneath contract with New Orleans, and any crew wanting Payton would want to spend vital draft capital with a view to land him. Reportedly the Saints are wanting nothing lower than a mid 1st spherical decide, which might both imply an excellent crew being compelled to surrender their first spherical decide, after which some — or a rebuilding crew believing that every one they want is an efficient coach, and that’s extra necessary than going a distinct route and doubtlessly getting a franchise-defining participant.
Let’s pump the brakes on all this for one second. Is Sean Payton actually price all this? We know his resume, however is that sufficient {that a} crew ought to significantly take into account giving up belongings to get a longtime coach over looking for a next-generation expertise?
The case for Sean Payton
If you need to rent a coach who has received a Super Bowl you’re not going to search out anybody else. Also, there’s one thing to be mentioned about bringing in somebody with expertise.
The NFL has shifted lately to see quite a lot of groups determined to win now. Financial ramifications, new possession, and the top of an period for a lot of elite quarterbacks has led to an arms race — which was justified by Tampa Bay profitable the Super Bowl in 2021, adopted by the Rams final season.
In order to turn out to be a “win now” crew it’s a must to encourage perception in veteran free brokers who see your group as a spot the place they’ll get a hoop earlier than crusing off into the sundown. This requires expertise, a confirmed route — and maybe most significantly, a coach who can get the job executed, not simply on the sphere, however in recruiting gamers.
That makes a crew like Denver an apparent potential touchdown spot. If you actually consider there’s juice left to squeeze out of Russell Wilson then there’s maybe no higher option to get this crew out of the cellar and again into competition.
I’ll be sincere, that is the most effective argument I can muster — as a result of a win-now state of affairs is the one one that actually is smart.
The case towards Sean Payton
Are we actually certain Payton can have the identical influence with out Drew Brees? Like, actually, actually certain? Because you higher have the reply to that earlier than investing the cash it will take to rent Payton, and quit the decide required to make it occur.
Payton and Brees have been linked for the overwhelming majority of their careers, and the one considerable success both had was with one another. There’s merely not sufficient concrete proof to say whether or not Brees flourished due to Payton’s system, or if Payton benefitted by having one of many biggest quarterbacks of all time for 15 years.
What is objectively true is that the Saints underperformed with Payton, notably within the playoffs. We’re speaking a 15 yr run within the NFC that didn’t require going by way of Tom Brady and New England, because the AFC needed to endure — and nonetheless New Orleans turned that into one Super Bowl win and simply two appearances within the NFC Championship recreation. The relaxation was mired with flame outs within the Wild Card or Divisional Rounds, regardless of placing up large common season information.
Winning a whole lot of video games is sweet, however there’s a distinct stage of scrutiny that comes with Payton now as an older coach requiring large compensation, than as a doe-eyed assistant as he was when he took the Saints job at age 42.
Of course, that’s earlier than we get to the elephants within the room.
- Being implicated in 2010 prescription drug controversy, which is has but to be finalized in courtroom
- Being suspended in 2012 for BountyGate
- More or much less bailing on the Saints after one failed season with out Brees, which can must been half of a bigger scheme to hitch Tom Brady in Miami
- Subject of the film Home Team, which sucked
That’s a whole lot of baggage while you’re staking your total future on a crew.
So… is Payton price it?
Look, that also relies upon. As I mentioned, in case you’re the Broncos or maybe even the Cardinals, a crew that appears legitimately near competition and also you simply really feel such as you want a coach to place all of it collectively — then perhaps.
What confounds me is groups just like the Texans and Panthers seeming involved in Payton. Both want a complete rebuild, and that turns into much more tough when it’s a must to surrender belongings simply to get the coach.
For essentially the most half we’ve seen coach trades end in a combined bag. Jon Gruden helped carry a Super Bowl to the Buccaneers, and the Jets buying and selling Bill Belichick might be remembered without end — however what about Herm Edwards to the Chiefs? Mike Holmgren to the Seahawks? Just as a result of success was achieved in a single place doesn’t imply it is going to port over — and conditions like Andy Reid are the exception, not the rule.
In the top that is very a lot purchaser beware. Sean Payton is a extremely good soccer coach, however there are a whole lot of good soccer coaches who don’t require giving up draft capital.