Tag: Payton

Jan 1, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Payton: Russell Wilson ‘looks good and looks sharp’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Denver Broncos may be “installing an entirely new offense,” but so far new coach Sean Payton is pleased with the centerpiece of that offense.

Payton told reporters after Thursday’s organized team activities that quarterback Russell Wilson was “sharp” as the Broncos get off and running.

“These guys are doing well, and (Wilson is) picking it up — the timing and all of those things that are required,” Payton said. “For the first five weeks, we were just lifting and running. Now we’re getting into some football activity. We are ahead of schedule on the practice. He’s picking it up good — he looks good and looks sharp.”

Wilson is entering his second season in Denver after a disastrous Year 1. The Broncos were hailed as Super Bowl contenders when they acquired Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks, but they went 5-12 as Wilson had the least effective year of his career while dealing with multiple injuries.

In 15 starts, Wilson threw for 3,524 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while taking a league-high 55 sacks. The disappointing year led to the firing of coach Nathaniel Hackett after 15 games, with Payton being hired out of a brief retirement to take over the job.

Payton coached the New Orleans Saints to one Super Bowl victory and will try to work similar magic in Denver.

“It’s the third day” of OTAs, Payton said. “… Look, we’re installing an entirely new offense. You see glimpses and then you see a lot we have to correct. The process is going well.”

Payton said running back Javonte Williams is practicing “in a limited capacity” at OTAs. The Broncos’ No. 1 running back tore the ACL and LCL in his right knee during Week 4 of his second NFL season and missed the rest of the campaign.

“We are being smart,” Payton said. “Obviously — and I said this to you before — we were encouraged heading into this time of the season. It’s good to have him out here.”

–Field Level Media

Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton on the sidelines during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Payton: Broncos, Russell Wilson expect scrutiny after losing season

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New Broncos head coach Sean Payton began to put his plans for 2023 on the table over dinner with Russell Wilson.

“There was a group of people at our table, Joe Montana was at our table,” Payton said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday. “Russell was interested in where we’re going. I was looking forward to hearing from Joe Montana. Certainly for Russell’s standards and for Broncos standards, that wasn’t what was expected. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us. When our offseason program begins, we’ll get a little bit more involved in how we see these roles developing for coaches, for players.”

Payton said his primary focus since returning to the NFL as a head coach has been on completing his coaching staff. He said Wilson has been in constant contact with former Saints quarterback Drew Brees, hoping to pick his brain about offensive philosophy and how to best focus his offseason training.

“Beyond people, every little detail matters. In an obsessive way,” Payton said of his plan to change the culture in Denver. “That has to exist in every other area of the building — equipment room, training room, cafeteria. Pretty soon then, the entire building moves in concert. And that’s pretty cool when that happens. It requires a little bit of unselfishness from all of us. If we’re all moving in one direction, chances are it’ll benefit all of us that are moving.”

Wilson, 34, was traded to the Broncos from the Seahawks after 10 seasons in Seattle. He signed a five-year, $245 million contract but had his worst statistical season.

The ramifications included Denver firing Nathaniel Hackett before the season ended and the Broncos paying a massive salary plus a first-round pick to the Saints to hire the 59-year-old Payton.

Revelations about Wilson having an office on the second floor of the team facility and using his own personal quarterbacks coach received a thumbs down from Payton upon his arrival. He said his comments have been overblown, but also serve as a reminder that scrutiny follows losing.

The Broncos went 5-12 and Wilson was 4-11 as the starter with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

“That’s what happens when you lose, everything gets looked at closely,” Payton said. “And we’ll have a way of doing things. It’ll be what I’m most familiar with and what’s best for the players.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 12, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New England Patriots offensive line coach Matt Patricia against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Broncos interview Matt Patricia for DC

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The Denver Broncos interviewed Matt Patricia on Wednesday for their defensive coordinator opening, NFL Network reported.

He joins a list of top candidates that includes Rex Ryan and Vance Joseph.

New head coach Sean Payton is interviewing to replace Ejiro Evero, who left to become the DC in Carolina.

Patricia, 48, was the longtime DC for the New England Patriots (2012-17) before getting the head coaching job in Detroit, where he went 13-29-1. He was fired by the Lions after Week 12 of the 2020 season.

Patricia spent the 2022 season back with the Patriots as the de-facto offensive coordinator with Joe Judge. Patricia held the title of senior football adviser/offensive line.

The Patriots brought back Bill O’Brien to be OC moving forward.

It’s unclear if Patricia has a spot on the Patriots’ staff for 2023. His contract – still being paid by the Detroit Lions – expired at the end of last season. Patricia wasn’t part of the Patriots’ contingent of coaches at the Shrine Bowl.

–Field Level Media

Sep 25, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Broncos eyeing Ronald Curry for OC

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New Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is eyeing to pluck some assistant coaches from his old team in New Orleans, including Ronald Curry as his potential offensive coordinator, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported Tuesday.

The report comes on the same day the Saints are interviewing Sean Desai virtually for the defensive coordinator role.

Curry worked under Payton in New Orleans, beginning in 2016 as an offensive assistant before moving to wide receivers coach and then quarterbacks in 2021. Curry also interviewed with Tampa Bay for the Bucs’ vacant OC post.

The Broncos have already tabbed the Saints’ Zach Strief to be their offensive line coach. Further, the Times-Picayune reported Payton has offered Saints offensive assistant Kevin Petry a role and CBS Sports reports Declan Doyle is a candidate to be tight ends coach in Denver.

Desai, 39, is the Seattle Seahawks associate head coach and defensive assistant.

Desai joined the Seahawks last year after working one season as the defensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears. He also served as the Bears’ defensive quality control coach (2013-18) and safeties coach (2019-20).

9News reports Desai is now the favorite for Denver’s DC now that Brian Flores went to Minnesota and Vic Fangio is committed to Miami. The Broncos let Ejiro Evero out of his contract and he signed with Carolina.

9News also reported that outside linebackers coach Bert Watts is not expected to be retained by Payton.

–Field Level Media

Jan 25, 2022; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton speaks during a press conference at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Broncos finalizing deal to make Sean Payton new head coach

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Former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton is about to become the head coach of the Denver Broncos.

According to ESPN, the two teams agreed to compensation on Tuesday afternoon that would clear the path for Payton to be hired by the Broncos. Denver would trade a first-round pick in 2023 — No. 29 overall — and a second-round pick in 2024 for Payton and a third-round pick.

Payton, 59, is the biggest name available in the coaching market. He is still under contract with New Orleans through the 2024 season after stepping aside as the Saints’ coach in January 2022 after 15 seasons.

Payton said last week that the price for an NFL team to hire him in this cycle would likely be a mid- to late-first-round draft pick.

In addition to the Broncos, Payton also has interviewed with the Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers.

The 2023 first-round draft pick was received in the trade deadline deal with the Miami Dolphins for outside linebacker Bradley Chubb.

Payton took last season off after coaching New Orleans to a 152-89 record in 15 seasons. He guided the Saints to the 2009 season Super Bowl title.

The Super Bowl-winning season is the lone time Payton has won multiple games in the postseason. He has a 9-8 mark in nine appearances.

The Saints won 10 or more games nine times under Payton. They went 9-8 in his final season in 2021.

The Broncos have missed the playoffs in seven straight seasons and have sustained six consecutive losing campaigns.

Despite acquiring quarterback Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks prior to last season, Denver was just 5-12 and first-year coach Nathaniel Hackett was fired with two games remaining in the regular season.

–Field Level Media

Jan 25, 2022; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton speaks during a press conference at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Cards, Texans permitted to interview Sean Payton

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The Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans have requested — and received — permission to interview former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, the NFL Network reported Wednesday.

The Cardinals and Texans join the Denver Broncos as teams looking to talk with Payton about their respective head-coaching positions.

ESPN said that by an NFL ruling, any team hoping to interview Payton in person cannot do so before Jan. 17. Payton confirmed as much on “Good Morning Football” this past Sunday.

“Denver’s the first team; I was able to have a conversation with their owner,” Payton said Sunday. “That’s kind of the protocol. It would go team to Saints and then the interview process can’t officially begin until (Jan. 17) so that’s really where it’s at.”

Payton’s contract with the Saints expires at the conclusion of the 2024 season. Therefore, the three teams in question would have to agree to some sort of compensation in order to secure the services of Payton.

The Cardinals parted ways with Kliff Kingsbury on Monday after four seasons with the team, while the Texans fired Lovie Smith on the same day after one campaign in Houston.

The Broncos are seeking to replace Nathaniel Hackett, who was fired on Dec. 26 after going 4-11 in his first season on the job.

Payton, 59, stepped aside as head coach of the Saints last January after 15 seasons.

He had a 152-89 record with the Saints and led them to a win in Super Bowl XLIV following the 2009 season, the only championship in franchise history.

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn talks to New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton after a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos Next Coach Odds: Dan Quinn vaults ahead of Sean Payton

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Denver Broncos’ search for Nathaniel Hackett’s replacement promises to be one of the most intriguing during this NFL coaching cycle.

Hackett lasted less than a year in the Mile High City, winding up as the less expensive scapegoat for the Broncos’ 4-11 record to date. Whoever replaces him will be tasked with revitalizing an offense that is last in the league in points scored this season.

Russell Wilson is enduring the worst season of his career. But with Denver committing $245 million to the former Super Bowl-winning quarterback before the start of the season, the 34-year-old quarterback isn’t going anywhere.

So it made sense when SportsBetting.ag installed former Saints coach Sean Payton as the +400 favorite to become the Broncos’ next coach shortly after Hackett was fired on Monday.

However, it’s a defensive coordinator that has since vaulted to favorite status.

Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, one of three Dallas assistants on the list, opened at +500 but has since shifted to the +100 favorite.

Next Broncos Head Coach Odds
Dan Quinn, Cowboys defensive coordinator (+100)
Sean Payton, Former Saints coach (+400)
DeMeco Ryans, 49ers defensive coordinator (+800)
Frank Reich, former Colts coach (+1000)
Shane Steichen, Eagles offensive coordinator (+1100)
Ejiro Evero, Broncos defensive coordinator (+1200)
Jim Caldwell, former Colts, Lions coach (+1200)
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan coach (+1200)
Kellen Moore, Cowboys offensive coordinator (+1400)
Eric Bieniemy, Chiefs offensive coordinator (+1600)
Leslie Frazier, Bills defensive coordinator (+2000)
Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys analyst (+2500)
Byron Leftwich, Bucs offensive coordinator (+2500)
Darrell Bevell, Dolphins QBs coach (+2500)
Brian Flores, Steelers LBs coach (+3300)
Peyton Manning, Former Broncos QB (+6600)
Bill Cowher, Former Steelers coach (+7500)

Quinn has previous NFL head coaching experience – something the past three Broncos coaches have lacked – and led the Atlanta Falcons to the Super Bowl.

Highly respected in NFL circles, Quinn would no doubt have access to a number of highly qualified offensive coordinators to install an offensive scheme better suited to Wilson’s style.

Payton still has the second-shortest odds. He’s reportedly eyeing a return to the sideline in 2023 and has assembled the majority of his staff, including former Broncos coach Vic Fangio as his defensive coordinator.

Reich was fired by the Indianapolis Colts this season and is another candidate who would bring NFL head coaching experience.

Or do the Broncos take another stab at an up-and-coming coordinator?

The list includes 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen and current Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

SportsBetting.ag is also having fun with the Broncos’ coaching search, offering odds on several extreme longshots to take the job.

Former Broncos head coaches Gary Kubiak and Mike Shanahan are being offered at +10000 along with former Super Bowl winning quarterback and team president John Elway. Former Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe is also being offered at +10000.

Perhaps the most amusing name on the list is Seatttle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll at +15000.

Carroll drafted Wilson out of Wisconsin and the two won a Super Bowl together. The Seahawks traded Wilson last offseason after his relationship with Carroll deteriorated over the past several years, and the two have taken subtle jabs at each other since parting ways.

–Field Level Media

Nov 21, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos’ top 10 candidates to replace Nathaniel Hackett

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The Denver Broncos helped the franchise get a head start on its search for its next head coach by laying a Christmas Day egg in a 51-14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Nathaniel Hackett’s future likely was sealed before the embarrassing loss to the reeling Super Bowl champions on national television. But the complete meltdown on the field and on the Broncos’ sideline on Sunday prompted CEO Greg Penner to make the move official on Monday with two games remaining in the team’s disastrous 4-11 season.

Who will take over the job now becomes the burning question.

The Broncos’ have one of the league’s elite defenses, despite what transpired against the Rams. The problem is the offense, which is led by a 34-year-old quarterback enduring by far his worst NFL season.

Denver sent a significant package of players and draft picks to the Seattle Seahawks to acquire Russell Wilson, then committed $245 million to him, but Wilson never looked comfortable in Hackett’s offense. So the immediate attention turns to who might be able to provide a better fit for Wilson and help the Broncos turn around what has devolved into the NFL’s lowest-scoring offense at 15.5 points per game.

Broncos’ Top 10 Coaching Candidates for 2023

1. Sean Payton, FOX Sports analyst and former Saints coach
The quick-twitch choice is Payton, who won a Super Bowl in New Orleans with a dynamic offense led by an undersized quarterback in Drew Brees.

Payton reportedly has assembled the majority of his staff with an eye on returning to the sideline next season. The big catch when it comes to Denver? Payton’s defensive coordinator pick is reportedly Vic Fangio, the Broncos’ former head coach who was fired after the 2021 season.

Payton is expected to be a leading candidate for several vacancies. The Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers already fired their head coaches and more openings are expected to follow as the regular season concludes.

2. DeMeco Ryans, 49ers defensive coordinator
The longtime NFL linebacker has established himself as one of the most respected coordinators in the league. Ryans replaced Robert Saleh, who took the New York Jets’ head coaching job in 2021, and San Francisco has clinched the NFC West title on the strength of the league’s top-rated defense.

Ryans would need to identify a strong offensive coordinator. He potentially could pluck from the 49ers’ staff to provide Wilson with a Kyle Shanahan-style scheme.

3. Shane Steichen, Eagles offensive coordinator
Philadelphia has the best record in the NFL thanks to what Denver is lacking — balance. In addition to the No. 2-ranked defense, the Eagles’ offense is led by MVP candidate Jalen Hurts.

Hurts is a dual threat, similar to what Wilson was in his earlier NFL years. Wilson has lost a step in his mid-30s, but perhaps Steichen can provide a scheme that better suits Wilson’s strengths and gets him on the move while getting the ball out quicker.

4. Kellen Moore, Cowboys offensive coordinator
Moore has been on the radar of NFL teams for the past few head coaching cycles. With defensive coordinator Dan Quinn another strong candidate to eventually take over for Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, now might be the time for Moore to finally move into a head coaching role elsewhere.

5. Dan Quinn, Cowboys defensive coordinator
Quinn was strongly considered by the Broncos last offseason. Granted, the ownership group has changed since then and made the massive financial commitment to Wilson.

However, Quinn does have previous NFL head coaching experience with Atlanta, taking the Falcons to the Super Bowl, and would have a strong list of offensive coordinators to consider.

6. Eric Bienemy, Chiefs offensive coordinator
The annual Bienemy watch begins again. He has been on the short list for numerous teams the past few years, but has yet to land a head coaching job. That’s in part because many credit the Chiefs’ offensive prowess to coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Could the Broncos finally be willing to give the former Colorado Buffaloes standout his shot while also plucking a highly respected coach from a division rival?

7. Brian Callahan, Bengals offensive coordinator
The Bengals are making another strong playoff push coming off last year’s Super Bowl appearance. It certainly helps to have an offense led by quarterback Joe Burrow and a bevy of playmakers.

Callahan has been credited with getting the most out of that group, and Denver does have a potentially elite receiving corps that includes Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy.

8. Frank Reich, former Colts coach
On one hand, Reich’s downfall in Indianapolis was predicated by multiple failed experiments to get the Colts “over the top” with veteran quarterbacks who didn’t pan out. On the other, Reich once turned Carson Wentz into an NFL MVP candidate in Philadelphia.

Reich is highly respected in NFL circles and might be an excellent fit for Denver after learning from his first head coaching experience in Indy.

9. Ben Johnson, Lions offensive coordinator
The Lions pulled themselves off the mat and rallied into the playoff conversation thanks to their offense. While Detroit’s defense ranks last in the NFL in allowing an average of 26.7 points per game, the offense is fourth overall and fifth in points scored.

Johnson, 36, has been an NFL assistant since breaking in with the Miami Dolphins in 2012. After a decade in various roles in Miami and Detroit, he took over the Lions’ offense this year and the results have opened many eyes around the league.

10. Mike Kafka, Giants offensive coordinator
Another first-year coordinator, Kafka was given the keys to the playcalling shortly before the season started under the tutelage of Giants coach Brian Daboll. A former journeyman NFL quarterback, Kafka has helped unlock Daniel Jones’ potential in New York and could be seen by Broncos management as the type of sparkplug Wilson needs.

One potentially significant drawback is that at 35, Kafka is only 16 months older than Wilson.

–Field Level Media

Jan 25, 2022; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton speaks during a press conference at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Sean Payton assembling staff for planned NFL return

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Sean Payton plans to be back on the sideline for an NFL team next season and has gone so far as to assemble the majority of his coaching staff.

According to ESPN and NFL Network, Payton is near the top of the list of candidates for multiple teams and is believed to be under strong consideration with the Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts, and he’s loosely connected to potential openings with the Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals.

The Panthers and Colts have interim coaches in place after making in-season changes.

In January, Payton stepped aside as head coach of the New Orleans Saints after 15 seasons. Because his contract had not expired with the Saints, they would be due compensation from any team that advances to the contract negotiation stage with Payton.

ESPN reported Payton has discussed the defensive coordinator job for his next staff with Vic Fangio, the ex-Denver Broncos head coach who was a highly respected defensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Colts, Panthers and Houston Texans.

When Payton, who turns 59 next week, left the Saints, he said at his farewell press conference he wasn’t using the word “retire.”

Speculation based on his previous term as Dallas Cowboys’ assistant coach paired Payton with known ally Jerry Jones, but the Cowboys are on a playoff course again. Barring a quick exit, Jones is expected to stick with Mike McCarthy as head coach.

He had a 152-89 record with the Saints and led the Saints to a win in Super Bowl XLIV following the 2009 season, the only championship in franchise history.

–Field Level Media

Jan 25, 2022; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton speaks during a press conference at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Panthers eyeing Sean Payton for 2023 season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Carolina Panthers reportedly are eyeing former NFC South rival Sean Payton to be their head coach in 2023.

Payton, 58, stepped down after 15 seasons as head coach of the New Orleans Saints on Jan. 25.

Citing sources, Front Office Sports reported Thursday that the Panthers are considering Payton to replace current head coach Matt Rhule.

Payton had three years remaining on his contract with the Saints when he announced his retirement.

The Panthers issued a statement denying the report.

“We would not talk to — or consider — a coach who’s under contract with another team,” the Panthers said.

Payton is expected to work in broadcasting during the 2022 season and is reportedly juggling offers from FOX Sports and Amazon.

Payton, who was suspended for the 2012 season over his role in the “Bountygate” scandal, compiled a 152-89 record in the regular season and a 9-8 mark in the playoffs with the Saints. He led New Orleans to a 31-17 victory against the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.

The Panthers are 10-23 in two seasons under Rhule, 47. The Panthers hired him before the 2020 season, signing him to a seven-year, $62 million deal and paying $6 million to buy him out of his contract at Baylor.

–Field Level Media