Sean Payton is the most decorated coach available this hiring cycle, and was seemingly a wanted man when the process began a few weeks ago.
However, it’s now fair to wonder if he is down to a pair of options: the Arizona Cardinals or a return to his TV analyst gig with FOX.
The Carolina Panthers hired Frank Reich on Thursday, eliminating a potential suitor for the former Saints coach.
The Broncos have been considered the top potential destination, but Washington Post reporter Mark Maske threw some cold water on that, saying there was “an issue” that came up during his interview.
The Panthers are no longer an option for Sean Payton. And there was an issue with Payton's interview with the Broncos. Payton likes the idea of coaching Russell Wilson and having that defense but fears a potential power struggle with a member of the ownership group, source says.
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) January 26, 2023
Payton is in Arizona today meeting with the Cardinals and has been on site for much of the day, a source told Compare.bet.
He met for some time with owner Michael Bidwill and the rest of an interview panel that included Chief People Officer Shaun Mayo, Senior Vice President of Media Relations Mark Dalton and Senior Vice President of Marketing Lisa Manning.
Sean Payton has been on-site interviewing with the Cardinals for much of the day, per source. He’s currently eating lunch with owner Michael Bidwill and GM Monti Ossenfort.
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) January 26, 2023
Payton had lunch with Bidwill and General Manager Monti Ossenfort, and that conversation may have been particularly meaningful because most believe Payton would want personnel control of a roster if he accepts a job.
The Cardinals have looked at plenty of other candidates, including former Dolphins coach Brian Flores, Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Arizona’s current defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
Payton’s salary would certainly be the most costly among the options and there is also the matter of compensation due the Saints in a trade for the head coach.
But with the Panthers out of it and possibly the Broncos, too, it feels like the leverage has moved from Payton’s hands over to Bidwill.
If he wants to get back into the coaching game after a year away, it could be Arizona or bust for Payton.
