The Denver Broncos are finalizing a trade to acquire Sean Payton from the New Orleans Saints, clearing the way for him to become their next head coach.
The Broncos fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett ahead of their Week 17 tilt with the Chiefs. They’ve had an exhaustive head-coaching search since the end of the 2022 NFL season, but some of their top candidates chose other options. Jim Harbaugh chose to remain in Michigan. Dan Quinn withdrew his name from the race to stay with the Dallas Cowboys. Demeco Ryans chose to become head coach of the Houston Texans instead of going to Denver.
It basically left them with no other choice than to shell out a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick for Payton.
Unbelievable: The #Broncos spent today trying to hire DeMeco Ryans AGAIN today before he recommitted to the #Texans, sources say. When he agreed to terms with the Texans, they moved and finalized Sean Payton.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 31, 2023
As for how Payton will fair in the AFC West, he certainly has his work cut out for him. Beyond the perceived “fixing” of former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson, he’s going to have his hands full trying to reverse Denver’s fortunes against Kansas City.
In his two games against the Andy Reid-era Chiefs, Payton has been unable to get a win. Patrick Mahomes defeated his Saints team in 2020 and Alex Smith defeated them in 2016. There is a little hope for the Broncos, though. Reid’s record against Payton prior to arriving in Kansas City is just 1-3.
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