Former Saints head coach Sean Payton appears to have found a new job.
Payton is nearing a deal to become a studio analyst for FOX's NFL coverage, according to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post.
Payton and FOX were "deep in negotiations," Marchand reported on Wednesday night, with Payton likely to assume the role of studio analyst for both "Fox NFL Kickoff," a morning show, and "FOX NFL Sunday," the network's top pregame show.
Prior reports indicated Payton might be up for a role as a game analyst, but according to Marchand such a role has not been discussed.
An on-air job with FOX would settle speculation, at least temporarily, about Payton's future in football following his departure from New Orleans after 15 seasons at the helm.
A bombshell report published earlier this offseason indicated that at one point Payton was plotting to join the Miami Dolphins along with Tom Brady. Payton denied the report.
In any event, it seems increasingly likely that the 58-year-old Payton will try his hand at broadcasting, a business that has seen a great deal of turnover this offseason amid an industry-wide reshuffling of talent of lineups.
According to Marchand, the job will be a "good test" of Payton's long-term prospects as an on-air talent, though he noted that "there is a strong feeling" Payton will return to coaching at some point.
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