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ATLANTA — Sean Payton stood at a podium outside the Saints locker room Sunday, basking in the glow of an always-satisfying win over the archrival Atlanta Falcons — a team Payton has owned in his 10 years in New Orleans.

He was determined to stay focused as long as possible on the dramatic 20-17 victory, certainly knowing full well he would eventually be asked to comment on his future with the Saints. A franchise he has put his stamp on more than any other coach — or two — these Saints have ever had.

“We have the players in” Monday, Payton said. “We have to evaluate the roster, and we have a lot of things to do. If I feel the need to get you an itinerary, I will. That’s the answer. I can’t be more clear.”

Actually, Payton was the opposite of clear. He was murky. He was testy. He was cloudy with a chance of bombshells, as in a huge, earth-shaking announcement that could come in the days ahead that he is leaving for another NFL franchise. With Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll entrenched in New England and Seattle, it’s no stretch to say Payton is the most sought-after movable coach in the NFL this year.

That he didn’t want to talk about it is understandable. But the subject won’t go away until the NFL’s musical chairs are all filled by other coaches and he’s still filling the same chair at his office in Metairie.

Payton could have made it go away. With just a few words in a dark and echoing corridor of the Georgia Dome, he could have said that he is staying in New Orleans. Those words would have sent a tsunami warning throughout pro football and ended all the speculation — or at least reduced it to a low tide.

But people basically want to tell the truth. They don’t want to utter something they will eventually have to double back on, words they will have to eat. Payton couldn’t bring himself to say he is staying in New Orleans — even if just to momentarily cool the speculation — because he knows leaving for New York or San Diego/Los Angeles or Miami or some other NFL address is a distinct possibility.

Cynics will bay that this is all a dust storm swirled up by the media. But there is too much smoke in too many forests for there not to be a fire someplace.


Read more: Scott Rabalais: What Saints coach Sean Payton didn’t say Sunday spoke volumes — and could mean change is on the way | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.