New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis returned to work on Tuesday following an eight-week suspension for his role in the club’s bounty scandal with a bomb on his desk.

Loomis needs to find a way to re-sign head coach Sean Payton, who otherwise will be a free agent following the Super Bowl. Payton’s contract with the club has been voided by the NFL and he’ll be a free agent if a new deal cannot be brokered.

It’s a real issue for the Saints, who likely didn’t leak the information on this story.

“I absolutely expect Sean to be our coach next year and going forward. These contract issues will be resolved," Loomis said, according to Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Loomis declined to discuss the matter further. There could be serious bidding for Payton’s services if he reached the open market. The Saints defense is a tattered mess right now. Loomis is confident a deal can be done but until it is, there will be speculation.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune