The Sean Payton sweepstakes will be the talk of the Saints' offseason, but exactly how big of a return should fans expect in a trade of the former head coach?
Five teams have reportedly kicked the tires after firing their respective head coaches, and two of those teams own selections in the top 5 of the 2023 draft. But, as WWL's Deuce McAllister explained on SportsTalk this week, even if those teams opt to swing a deal, it's highly unlikely those picks are included.
“You’re not getting a top-5 pick for Sean Payton," McAllister said. "You will be lucky to get a top-10 pick for Sean Payton. But I feel fairly confident in you’re not getting a top-5 pick. … And it’s not that those teams in the top 5 don’t like Sean Payton, but you’re not going to trade a top-5 pick and pay Sean Payton … $15 to 20 million per year. That’s not gonna happen."
Listen to the full interview with Deuce McAllister in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
Even without those picks, it'd still be possible for the Saints to net a good return. The Houston Texans own the No. 2, but also the No. 12 overall pick. The Arizona Cardinals own the No. 3 selection, but also a high second and a host of future assets that could be included. The Broncos own a late first (via the 49ers), which would likely be married with other assets.
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WWL's Bobby Hebert said he'd make sure to hold other teams' feet to the fire to ensure the biggest return and, ideally, multiple first-round picks. But Deuce has a request: Let's all take a step back and be realistic.
“What are you holding? There’s nothing to hold when it comes to that," McAllister continues. "That’s not happening. That’s not being realistic. I mean, you’re not being realistic in that thought. … That’s a PlayStation video game.
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"Some of the fans that are setting themselves up to say ‘oh, the Saints went cheap and they didn’t get enough.’ They’ll get what they can get. But it won’t be a top-5 pick.”
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