Sean Payton's purported bid to join Tom Brady on the Miami Dolphins didn't exactly pan out -- but it seems there's another top-tier quarterback he might like to work with.
During an appearance on ESPN's "Monday Night Football" Manningcast, the former Saints coach turned FOX studio analyst joked that both he and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson could be free agents at the same time.
"Coach, before the 2018 Draft, you had a lot of high praise for Lamar Jackson," Peyton Manning said. "You called him a leader. You called him special. Now you get to see him every Sunday -- what stands out to you about Lamar Jackson?"
"Well, the No. 1 thing is, I have a chance to be a free agent, and he has a chance to be a free agent," Payton replied. "I would say that first."
Jackson, who turns 26 in January, could become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, if he and the Ravens are unable to reach a contract extension. The Florida native and former Louisville Cardinal star is currently playing on his fifth-year option, which the Ravens exercised in April 2021.
Playing without the security of a long-term deal is no doubt a risky play for a quarterback who is prone to take a lot of hits due to his knack for running the ball, but so far Jackson's big bet on himself is on track to pay off nicely.
Payton's plans, meanwhile, remain cloudy. He told the Mannings that he is "liking" his role with FOX.
"I'm kind of getting my fix on Sunday watching the games."
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