Sean Payton will be coach for hire after suspension?

By NFL-EN | dave@nflen.com

Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints
(Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

The New Orleans Saints gave head coach Sean Payton a contract extension in 2011 which was due to run through the 2015 season, and the league voided that extension because of the language in the contract. With his contract set to expire after this season, what could happen?


Well, there has been some speculation that the Dallas Cowboys would be interested, and that also the Philadelphia Eagles also might be a suitor.

Before we all get carried away, there is a possibility that Payton might be coaching the Saints next season even without an extension. The league rolls back contracts for players under suspension one year, which gives that player back that year on his contract, so to speak.

Thing is, seems nobody out there right now is sure of what will happen with the Sean Payton situation.



Roger Goodell later spoke to reporters in Atlanta and confirmed he had voided Payton's contract extension, and also seemed to indicate that the Payton and the Saints would need to have another contract in place for Payton to return to New Orleans next season.

"Now it's up to the team and Sean Payton," Goodell said, via Rapoport. "Until I get something back, it's up to them."

It also now seems that Payton can negotiate with the Saints on this contract while he is under suspension. Payton told Fox Sports insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer that "I absolutely plan on being a New Orleans Saint."

Related articles

• Why the Dallas Cowboys Need Sean Payton (rantsports.com)
• Saints can negotiate new deal with Payton while he's on suspension (wwltv.com)
• Sources: Payton deal with Saints voided by NFL (espn.go.com)