The Arizona Cardinals “reset” after Thursday’s interview with Sean Payton, according to Ian Rapoport.
“I know Arizona is doing some hiring,” Rapoport said Monday Pat McAfee show. “So Arizona will either work on hiring Sean Payton or invite one of these other candidates for a second interview.”
What does that mean?
I think it’s safe to say that the Cardinals and Payton decide if they want to dance.
Money may not be as much of an obstacle as compensation for the New Orleans Saints.
Remember, the Saints started out big with their demands, stating they wanted a first-round pick or two for Sean Payton.
That, of course, was when Payton got looks from the Cardinals, as well as the Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos and Houston Texans.
Since then, the Panthers have hired Frank Reich while the Broncos and Texans have shifted their focus to DeMeco Ryans.
So that leaves Payton with the choice of going to the Cardinals or going back to Fox for another year.
It’s no big deal for Payton, but for the Saints, they could lose whatever bargaining power they have left.
A team that signs Payton this year will receive two years of buyout, while next year will be the last year of his contract.
The Saints can maybe get a day three pick next year but it won’t be nearly as good as what they could get this year, probably a day two pick.
So now we wait.
What happens next will determine whether the Cardinals sign Sean Payton or move on with Brian Flores, Ejiro Evero or Aaron Glenn.