The Sean Payton saga came out of nowhere this past week.
Rumors appeared that he may want to step down as head coach of the New Orleans Saints.
That was a shocking piece of news and there has been radio silence on the matter for days.
That changed Tuesday as NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed Payton is out as Saints head coach.
Sources: Sean Payton has informed the #Saints that he’s stepping away.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 25, 2022
This move totally changes the direction of the Saints franchise as they must now find a new head coach and begin late in the NFL hiring process.
The NFL world is reacting in a huge way to this shocking news in a variety of ways.
Sean Payton saw that -75 mill over the cap and was like yeah I think I had a good coaching career
— Jordan Puente (@jordanpuente95) January 25, 2022
NFL World Reacts To Sean Payton’s Departure
Plenty of people are simply reacting with shock to this news.
Sean Payton leaving is so crazy
— Edward Adrian (@MGEddy56) January 25, 2022
We will always love @SeanPayton. #whodatforlife https://t.co/suCkZO1w2V
— Field Thigpen (@fieldthigpen) January 25, 2022
This hurts more than I thought it would… Thanks coach @SeanPayton https://t.co/2w2BMBni5x
— Manu (@Manosoriof) January 25, 2022
No one knows what lies ahead for the head coach at this point.
One option is to go into television, while another is just to take time off and spend time with his family.
Yet NFL fans on social media can’t stop discussing the possibility of him taking a job elsewhere.
Sean Payton to the Cowboys
— Big A (@AveHarris501) January 25, 2022
If I’m the @colts I drop everything. Call Sean Payton and tell him, “Write down any number.”
They need to reshape the team, no better way than a clean slate and brining him in.— C. Adam Camp (@cadamcamp) January 25, 2022
Sean Payton may be retiring, but the #Giants have to do their due diligence…
— Félix (@FootballPapi) January 25, 2022
He is now going to be linked to every single head coaching opening for years to come.
It is just hard to believe this could be the end of his coaching career.
Thank You coach @SeanPayton pic.twitter.com/2ZBLZdMmkq
— dre 💤 (@andre_viator) January 25, 2022
Taysom Hill broke Sean Payton
— An Englishman’s NFL (@englishmansnfl) January 25, 2022
I just went through the 5 stages of grief after the Sean Payton news in about 3 minutes. Kinda proud of myself.
— Austen McDonald (@mcdonald_austen) January 25, 2022
He joined the Saints in 2006 alongside Drew Brees and the duo immediately went to the NFC Championship Game.
They won a Super Bowl a few years later and were postseason fixtures for the next decade.
Payton is still only 58 years old and may just want a fresh start after over 15 years coaching the Saints.
Even if reports say he is retiring, that has not stopped others from returning before.
I can confirm via source that Sean Payton is stepping away from coaching. Press conference expected this afternoon. https://t.co/2JK6ZsbNbL
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) January 25, 2022
Sean Payton is under contract through 2024 with the #Saints. If another team wanted to swoop it, they would need to compensate New Orleans. But that’s a conversation for next offseason. https://t.co/7v8gr8GW0c
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 25, 2022
The Payton rumors will fade away for now, but will surely start up again next offseason or even sooner if he changes his mind.
NEXT: The Latest Sean Payton Update Does Not Provide Clarity