The only “serious threat” to pull Sean Payton out of New Orleans is likely the Dallas Cowboys.

That is what Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports after news broke two weeks ago that Payton’s contract with the Saints has been voided by the NFL. It makes sense for a series of reasons. Payton’s children reside in the Dallas area and he has worked previously as an assistant for the Cowboys.

But if you’ve followed the NFL long enough, you know there are always going to be surprises and there is seemingly always one “surprise” coaching vacancy each offseason. If the right opening popped up, there is no telling what could happen, especially if another owner gets aggressive.

Triplett speculates the best thing that could happen for the Saints would be a playoff run by the Cowboys, who are treading water right now at 4-5. That certainly would put coach Jason Garrett in position to keep his job.

The bottom line is until the Saints re-sign Payton to a contract the NFL approves, there is going to be speculation that Payton could be headed out of town. Payton might just play it out long enough to get the ultimate leverage with the Saints. Stay tuned.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune