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The news of New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton’s five-year contract extension was forgotten in the wake of a serious hand injury to quarterback Drew Brees on that same day, but it’s important to remember as we inch towards the offseason.
Specifically, the Dallas Cowboys-centric news cycle that’s sure to dominate the spring and summer. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is poised to finally move on from lame duck coach Jason Garrett, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported this week that Payton will not be an option — because of that same contract extension. Ironically, Rapoport added that previous interest from the Cowboys played a part in Payton signing on long-term with New Orleans.
“Last year after the season, through back channels, nothing official,” Rapoport said, “the Cowboys made it known that they would be interested in Sean Payton if he was interested in them. And obviously a lot of things would have to happen. Payton considered it, he helped use that leverage to land a new contract that was actually agreed to last winter, not earlier this season.”
From @NFLGameDay: If the #Cowboys move on from coach Jason Garrett, Sean Payton isn't an option… but last offseason, through back channels, they made it known they were interested in him if he was interested in them. That helped Payton land a massive contract extension. pic.twitter.com/zTiAEyAThm
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 15, 2019
While Payton’s friendship with the Jones family is strong (he famously came up in their organization as an assistant to legendary coach Bill Parcells), it’s clear that after considering what Dallas has to offer, he’d like to remain friends rather than employer-and-employee. And that’s perfectly understandable. It’s just too good that Payton not only turned the Cowboys down, but used their interest to expedite negotiations with the Saints and tie him to the team even stronger than before.
The next chapter of Saints football is going to be as fascinating to watch as all the previous entries, because Payton will be there to manage it. He’ll continue to make bold in-game decisions and keep the offseason lively with gambling free agent signings and draft pick valuations. By locking himself to the Saints through 2026, he’s ensured that he’ll continue to make the rules and call the shots in New Orleans — even after Drew Brees has hung up his cleats.
Whether the next Saints quarterback is already on the roster, waiting on another NFL team, or finishing up his college career before entering the draft, fans can rest easy knowing Payton’s will be here to work with them. He’s guided the franchise through a golden age of football, delivered New Orleans its first Super Bowl, and is hard at work to go in its second Lombardi Trophy. All fans can do is enjoy the ride.
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