Yes. Bidding to Payton, not the Saints. Each team will try their best to sell themselves to Payton. He'll make a decision on where he wants to make his final destination. Then the Saints and that team will go one on one to come to an agreement on the rights to Payton.

That's the point that many are totally missing. Payton makes the decision, not the Saints. Payton doesn't go to who offers the Saints the best deal, he goes to who offers HIM the best deal.

In fact, trading away draft capital would make the destination less attractive to Payton who would surely be expecting to play a major role in the draft process wherever he lands.

Right. Saints can't simply trade Payton the way many players get traded.

However, you're making an assumption about draft capital factoring heavily in his decision. Would it be nice to have the #3 pick for example? Sure. But you and I don't have a clue what else is in the franchise's plans so it may be completely reasonable to trade for a transformational HC now while he's available.

Nope. I'm not saying draft capital is weighing heavily in his decision, I'm just pointing out it would obviously be a factor. He's already stated that a good working relationship with the front office would be vital, as well. And I'm sure he has plenty of other items on his checklist.

Regardless, unless we know the totality of he offer as well as the franchise's plans it's an assumption.