That is exactly right. The Saints don't HAVE to settle for anything. They can choose to get nothing instead. However, if they want more than nothing they are limited to the most that the other team is willing to offer. As I have pointed out several times, the only card that the Saints hold is the veto card. They have the ability to say Payton goes nowhere.

The Saints hold more than a veto card, they have the upper hand. The Saints are in a position to openly auction his rights to any team that will bid and they can decide to narrow Sean's pool if they choose to. The Saints have the power to way "we don't care who you want, you get to chose from only AFC teams". If Sean doesn't like that, he has to wait it out.

Furthermore, if they choose not to trade him they are not getting nothing. Sitting on Sean Payton for a year delays any exodus of coaches that might leave to follow him. Delays any players that enter free-agency from being available to him. Delays facing him in regular season or playoffs. Delays a lot of press drama. They get a lot of peace of mind.

No offense, but this is some serious wishful thinking. As I’ve said before, some of you are going to be sorely disappointed.

No offense, but this is some serious wishful thinking. As I’ve said before, some of you are going to be sorely disappointed.

What part of that is a wish? Read it carefully, there is no optimism or pessimism, just an outlay of options and consequences.

And nothing of fact which is wishful thinking on your part.

Every part of that is fact, I made zero predictions or hopes. The saints have those options. Not trading his rights grants the listed things. I’m not sure you know what facts are at this point.

We'll see when none of that happens.