Then you think the Saints should shoot themselves in the foot and take nothing while Payton happily returns to Fox for two more years. He has already said that the chances of his doing just that is "7" on a scale of 1 to 10.

The Saints are not getting multiple 1st's. They have little to no leverage. If Payton wasn't involved in the decision then they would have leverage. However, the entire decision on where to go if he goes anywhere at all is totally up to Payton.

You say Sean Payton is generational. Well, many would argue that a #2 or #3 pick in the draft is generational, as well. Twelve Super Bowls have been won since Payton won his. It can also be argued that any one of those head coaches could be considered just as generational as is Payton.