Sean Payton will be the next head coach of the Denver Broncos, According to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones. The New Orleans Saints and Broncos have finalized trade compensation for head coach Sean Payton, According to ESPNClearing the last hurdle for Payton to become Denver’s next head coach.
adam sheft Added that trade calls Denver’s first-round pick (No. 30 overall) and a 2024 second-round pick from San Francisco will be sent to New Orleans for their 2024 third-round pick.
Payton, 59, last coached the Saints in 2021 but is still under contract, which is why a trade needs to be negotiated. The Eastern Illinois University graduate began his NFL coaching career with the Eagles in 1997. Before taking over as Saints head coach in 2013, his 15-year tour of the conference included three-quarters of the NFC East, excluding Washington.
During his tenure in New Orleans, he compiled a 152-89 record (0.631 winning percentage) and a 9-8 record in the playoffs. The Saints won Super Bowl XLIV. He led the team through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina before becoming embroiled in the 2012 bounty scandal. Payton was suspended for an entire season, giving him the honor of becoming the first suspended head coach in modern times. In 2006, the Associated Press named him Coach of the Year after his team went 10-6.
Led by Payton and quarterback Drew Brees, New Orleans’ offense ranks second in points per game (27.5), first in yards per game (391.4), three-point conversion rate (45.4 percent) and red District conversion rate ranks first (61.1%) from 2006 to 2021.
Russell Wilson has struggled in his first season with Denver since being acquired by Denver via a trade with Seattle. He completed just 60 percent of his passes with 16 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and an 84.4 passer grade; 25th or worse in the entire league. Wilson went 4-11 as a starter and ultimately fired first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett.
The No. 30 overall pick has now changed hands on three separate occasions. It was initially held by San Francisco and then sent to Miami as part of a trade package that allowed the 49ers to select quarterback Trey Lance. The Dolphins then traded him to the Broncos for edge rusher Bradley Chubb. Now, it’s been sent to New Orleans as part of the Payton trade.
New Orleans has no first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after deciding last year to acquire a second first-round pick from Philadelphia. As a result, the Hawks got the 10th overall pick. Denver is once again without a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft because the Russell Wilson trade sent their own pick to the Seahawks.
