As the Sean Payton trade market continues to simmer, Saints GM Mickey Loomis provided some key updates for the ongoing and fascinating process.
The New Orleans GM spoke to the media this week following the end of the Saints' season, a 7-10 campaign that left many disappointed. One thing Loomis confirmed is that Dennis Allen would be back for a second season, appearing to rule out the unlikely return scenario for the former coach.
But where could Payton land, and what might the Saints bring back in the process? Here are some answers to key questions.
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WHICH TEAMS HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR INTERVIEWS THUS FAR?
The Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans, all of whom finished in the bottom five of the league and fired their head coaches.
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HAVE ANY TEAMS BEEN DECLINED?
"Not yet," Mickey Loomis said.
It's a coy answer that does give some insight. It's been reported that other teams have called to kick the tires on Payton, but Loomis' answer would indicate they haven't requested permission. Two teams without head coaches who have not yet requested interview process are the Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts. Loomis' answer makes it clear neither team has been denied such a request, but it leaves it unclear whether they'd be approved if they did.
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HAVE TEAMS AGREED TO COMPENSATION?
This is a yes and no from Loomis. Any team that's moved on to the interview phase has done so with the understanding that compensation would be required to hire Sean Payton, but there's been no set parameters of what that might have to be.
"It's going to be different for every team," Loomis said, "because they have different picks and they have different things available to them, and so it's not firm with ... they have to get our permission to have a discussion with him, and then we have to have the compensation settled before they can actually make an offer or hire him."
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WHEN WILL THOSE INTERVIEWS TAKE PLACE?
That's a good question. Loomis said once the interview is granted, it goes beyond his purview. It'll come down to whether those teams want to move onto negotiations beyond that point.
At this point there does not appear to be any set timetable for when such a deal gets done, though there will be some level of urgency for any team looking to bring Payton in as their head coach, considering the wholesale impact it could have on their offseason strategy.
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WERE THE 2022 DRAFT TRADES MADE EXPECTING A RETURN FOR PAYTON?
It was a popular theory at the time after the Saints dealt their 2023 first-rounder in a deal to acquire an extra first-round selection in the 2022 draft. The Saints ultimately traded up again to pick WR Chris Olave at No. 11, then selected LT Trevor Penning at No. 19. Were those deals made with the luxury of knowing that, at some point, Sean Payton would want back in and the team would be able to pick up a treasure trove of assets from any team that understood the value of an elite NFL head coach?
The GM says no, even if that's what turns out happening.
"No, I've never counted on getting anything for Sean because, listen, he might decide to do the media deal for 5 years, who knows?" Loomis said. "So that's not something that, I know I have history of spending [capital] going forward, but we weren't spending draft capital going forward by anticipating what we might get if he decides to coach again."
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WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY ON THE DEAL/HAVING PAYTON BACK IN THE LEAGUE?
"It's complicated," Loomis said. "Because I have such great respect for him. He's a close friend of mine. He's a great coach. You know, all those things. I want the best for him, I do -- we do, collectively as an organization. He gave everything that he could possibly give to the New Orleans Saints. He took us to heights that the organization and team never achieved before. So I absolutely want the best for him, but I also recognize that he's a valuable asset, his contract is a valuable asset to our club and it's our duty to maximize that.
"Look, I think, between the quarterback of the team and the head coach, no one else impacts winning more than those two guys in any building. And so I know what he brings to the table and I know that's really valuable and it's our obligation to maximize that value if he chooses to coach again within that timeframe that we have those rights."
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