Report: Saints looking for 'first-round pick and more' to trade Sean Payton, Broncos aware

If the Denver Broncos want Sean Payton as their next head coach, they’re going to have to pay up. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the New Orleans Saints are asking for a first-round pick and “more” in return for for the opportunity to bring Payton out of retirement.

Payton is still under contract with the Saints until 2024 despite stepping down as their coach at the end of the 2021 season after 15 years. With that being the case, any team who wishes to hire him before his contract expires must go through New Orleans.

The Broncos have already received permission from the Saints to interview Sean Payton, it was reported earlier Saturday. They were made aware of the Saints’ asking price during that conversation and indicated they could meet it.

During his time with the Saints, Payton amassed a 152-89 record from 2006-11 and 2013-21. That included a Super Bowl win over the Indianapolis Colts in 2010. He missed the 2012 season as a result of the “Bountygate” scandal and spent that year as the offensive coordinator at Liberty Christian School, where his son played.

The NFL said the Broncos can’t interview Payton in-person until Jan. 17 at the earliest, Schefter said. However, they have permission to speak with him as they embark on their search to replace Nathaniel Hackett, who was fired 15 games into his tenure. Denver takes a 4-12 record into its season finale this week against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.

The Broncos are leaving no stone unturned in their coaching search, though, even reaching out to Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported. Harbaugh, however, recently appeared to reaffirm his commitment to staying at his alma mater despite the rumors connecting him to multiple NFL coaching opportunities. Another team that reportedly expressed interest was the Carolina Panthers, and Harbaugh spoke with owner David Tepper in what was described as a conversation rather than an interview.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report.