There has been much speculation about whether or not Sean Payton will return to coaching in the NFL next season and the former New Orleans Saints head coach certainly is not shutting the idea down.
In an interview with Jarrett Bell of USA Today, the 58-year-old sounded sure he would return to coaching at some point.
“Ultimately, do I think I’ll get back in? Sure,” he said.
A report last week in the Miami Herald, citing a source close to Payton, said that the head coach would prefer a place with “warm weather, a roster good enough to compete and most importantly, control over personnel decisions.”
The report added that the Miami Dolphins interest Payton, and the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers could as well, but Payton did not divulge or drop any hints on what his preferences may be.
“There’s no way to predict who that club might be,” he added. “Usually, there are about six openings every year. If there’s a right fit somewhere, that ultimately will depend on several factors.”
Payton and the Dolphins continue to be linked to one another after reports surfaced that he nearly went to Miami this season in a package deal with Tom Brady before it was thwarted by Brian Flores’ lawsuit against the team and league.
Payton has denied those reports, although he did confirm the Dolphins contacted the Saints while he was still under contract with them, but that request was denied.
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The Cowboys have long been connected to Payton, who was the quarterbacks coach and assistant head coach to Bill Parccels for three years before joinng the Saints.
The Chargers, meanwhile, seem to be another team that could possibly check all three of those reported boxes for Payton.
For now, though, he says he is focused on his media job at Fox.
Added Payton: “We’ll deal with [the next coaching job] when the time comes.”
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