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When a coaching position opened up in Denver on Monday, speculation surfaced about the possibility that former Saints coach Sean Payton could get the job.
While money won’t be an issue for the team’s new owners, there are other considerations for someone like Payton, who could take pretty much any vacancy he wants.
Given that Payton has reportedly set up Vic Fangio as his defensive coordinator, a return to Denver for the former Broncos head coach could be a little awkward, to say the least. Yes, Gunther Cunningham once returned to the Chiefs as defensive coordinator after serving as head coach. It would still be an odd turn of events just a year after Fangio was fired by GM George Paton.
Second, how much power would Payton have? No-Y Paton is the GM, presumably with all the rights and duties under his contract to shape the roster, choose draft picks, etc. Sean Payton will presumably want to run the show. With Paton still around, Payton may not be interested.
Third, what does Payton think of Russell Wilson? The organization believes the franchise quarterback can be fixed. Does Payton believe that? During the season, Payton explained what he would do to get the best out of Wilson and focused on the things he used to do in Seattle. What if Wilson can’t do the things he used to do in Seattle?
My own reading of the situation, for what it’s worth (not much), is that Wilson lost just enough of his mobility to throw off his entire game. He doesn’t trust his legs to buy the breakup and the extra time it brings, so he doesn’t even try, not as hard as he used to.
So if Payton just thinks Wilson can’t play at a high level, Payton wouldn’t want the job. Unless, of course, Payton thinks he can spur Wilson on to the kind of confidence that would make him retire.
Fourth and last, the Broncos would have to be willing to give the Saints whatever they want in compensation for Payton’s contractual rights. The Saints were poised to do so earlier this year when Payton was set to be hired by the Dolphins. The fact that the Broncos are also in the AFC could make the Saints more willing to strike a deal than they would be if Payton wants to coach an NFC team like the Cowboys.
All in all, it would take quite a bit to make Payton want the Broncos job. Above all, he had to believe in Wilson. If Payton does, he would be in a shrinking minority of those who do.