Is there still hope for Sean Payton to return to coaching?
Apparently two NFL teams believe so, and already reached out to the longtime Saints coach — who stepped down from his position Tuesday after 15 years in New Orleans and said he has no plans to coach in 2022.
During an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show” on Thursday, Payton was secretive about the two teams that contacted him through backchannels, but ruled out the Cowboys and Bears.
Dallas reportedly informed Mike McCarthy he would return as head coach, while Chicago announced Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus as their new head coach hire on Thursday.
Payton reiterated to Patrick what he said in his Saints exit: while coaching isn’t in the cards right now, he doesn’t believe he’s finished with it.
He did admit that he was “excited to get two or three calls from people in the television industry” following his exit in New Orleans.
“There’s a part of me that also wants to listen and learn again and not be the one directing,” Payton said. “Just how can I be great at something different than coaching? And then teach me.”
In his final season with the Saints, and his first without star quarterback Drew Brees, Payton went 9-8 and missed the playoffs as the team dealt with significant injuries.
Payton’s illustrious career in New Orleans includes nine playoff appearances, seven NFC South division titles and a Super Bowl championship to cap off the 2009-10 season.
