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Sean Payton probably alleviated some fears among the New Orleans Saints fan base - and maybe within the organization as well - when he told Fox's Jay Glazer he "absolutely plans" on returning to the team in 2013. And a team source also expressed that the team fully intends to keep Payton beyond this year. But there is no guarantee, based on the news first reported by ESPN that Payton's contract is set to expire after this season.


New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton holds all of the leverage now that the league has voided his contract.
So this revelation is bad news for the Saints, one way or the other. Even if they keep their coach, they'll have to go through the stress and expense of competing for his services.

In what has already been arguably the worst year in Saints franchise history, this was another case of the Sainte being tackled for a loss.

Once his contract expires, Payton will be an unrestricted free agent - even more free to explore his other options than quarterback Drew Brees was this past offseason. And as Glazer also insinuated, Payton will expect to become the highest-paid coach in the NFL, likely expecting even more than the roughly $8 million per year his previous contract extension was reportedly worth. Worse yet, if the Dallas Cowboys wind up in the mix, the Saints will be in for some serious competition for a number of reasons.

In an ideal world, Payton and the Saints would go ahead and clean up this mess sooner than later, signing a new contract extension before his bounty suspension is up. But as we were all reminded during the Brees negotiations, people rarely surrender their leverage in high-priced contract negotiations.

Ultimately, it would make the most sense for Payton to remain in New Orleans.

For one thing, he's got Brees here. And that one piece outweighs all the others for any head coach - especially an offensive-minded one.

For another, Payton has an ideal working situation, where Owner Tom Benson and General Manager Mickey Loomis have given him so much trust and authority. It's telling that Payton's voided contract extension included a clause that linked his job security to Loomis' own job security. It's obvious that he wants to keep working with him.

And now that the Saints have suddenly become a struggling franchise during Payton's absence, they can offer him the same opportunity to sweep in and save the day that other franchises can offer. If it's a new challenge he desires, then he can find that right here in New Orleans.

Obviously, though, Payton could find other intriguing challenges elsewhere. And everyone's mind instantly turns to the dreaded Dallas scenario. Payton has been a part of the Cowboys culture, and he knows how much it would mean to be the man who restores that franchise to prominence.

Payton also has a great relationship with Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones. And most importantly, his family now lives in Dallas year-round - another priority that could trump all others.

So the stress of this new development will linger for weeks and months, just like the bounty saga and Brees' own contract saga earlier this year.

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saintsfan403

He's not going anywhere, it's just media trying to hump the whole bounty gate thing one more time.

vpheughan

After watching the "Genius" coach Dallas last night I believe we should prepare ourselves for the worst.

onebyone

I think that I am going to have to stock up on Pepto, because this nonstop Payton to Dallas talk is making me sick to my stomach.

Mardigras9

Dallas is primed for a change and we all know money isn't a problem there.

pinch

I would hope that Benson holds Payton to his word and gets him signed yesterday. If Payton balks then yes we all have reason to worry.

QBREES9

I hate the media. Its all hype.

TheOak

I think the mans damn word is good enough for me when it comes to Sean Payton.

Halo

Sure it is. And that money has attracted 1 "name" coach since since 1997... and Switzer was really working with what Jimmy Johnson built.

Ok, so you have a house in Dallas...... so what? You can fly (commute) to New Orleans daily or weekly, get paid 7million plus a year, have your hand picked GM, and a non-intrusive owner. It's like a 45 minute flight. Look below and tell me what makes the Dallas job soooo attractive? SP would get like, what 2....maybe 3 years??

Chan Gailey 1998–1999
Dave Campo 2000–2002
Bill Parcells 2003–2006
Wade Phillips 2007–2010 (had a higher winning % than Parecells... fired midseason during his 3rd season)
Jason Garrett 2010–Present (took over end of 2010 from fired Phillips)

Rugby Saint II

The house he owns in Dallas is probably his wifes house. Jerry Jones is a tool and Sean Payton knows it. Anybody remember Payton drinking Jerrys wine after the Superbowl victory?
Once again, Jones is a tool and Payton knows it first hand.
The problem is that he is going to drive up the contract with a bidding war.