Report: New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton makes decision on future

The NFL coaching carousel has been very busy this offseason, and it does not appear to be done just yet. According to multiple reports, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has decided to retire. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Payton has informed the Saints of his decision.

“Sources: Sean Payton has informed the #Saints that he’s stepping away,” Rapoport tweeted.

Payton, 58 years old, has been the Saints head coach since 2006. In his head coaching career, he coached to a 152-89 regular season record. He also went 9-8 in the playoffs. The Saints won the Super Bowl in 2009 under Payton after a 13-3 regular season. New Orleans reached the playoffs nine times in Payton’s tenure. He was the 2006 AP Coach of the Year.

ESPN reporter Mike Triplett also reported that Sean Payton is stepping away, with official news expected to follow later on Tuesday.

“I can confirm via source that Sean Payton is stepping away from coaching,” Triplett said. “Press conference expected this afternoon.”

ESPN’s Adam Schefter said that the Saints will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. ET.

The Saints went 9-8 in the 2021 season in the first year following legendary quarterback Drew Brees’ retirement. Now, the Saints enter the offseason in need of a new head coach with questions remaining at the quarterback position as well.

With Payton now leaving the Saints, there are nine head coach openings in the league. In addition to the Saints, the Giants, Bears, Vikings, Raiders, Jaguars, Dolphins, Texans, and Broncos are also looking for new head coaches.

Rapoport also noted that current defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is the leading candidate to replace Payton with the Saints. Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is reportedly a candidate as well.

With Payton retiring, the Saints face an important offseason

Losing your star quarterback and longtime head coach in consecutive offseasons is a tough blow for the Saints. To make matters worse, the Saints don’t exactly have a lot of wiggle room when it comes to salary cap room. According to PFF’s Ari Meirov, the Saints have, by far, the least salary cap room in the NFL.

“The #Saints are projected to be a whopping $74M over the cap (by far the most in the NFL) and have now lost their QB and HC to retirement in back-to-back offseasons,” Meirov tweeted.

New Orleans won four of its final four games this season to reach 9-8. That feat came directly after a five-game losing streak, dropping the Saints to 5-7.

Moving into the offseason, the Saints will need to do some serious work to the roster. At quarterback, Jameis Winston was signed prior to the season, but a torn ACL ended his season. Trevor Siemian, Taysom Hill, and Ian Book also started games at quarterback this season. Star wide receiver Michael Thomas also missed the year with injuries, adding to the uncertainty that lies ahead for the team.