Sean Payton became head coach of the New Orleans Saints in 2006 and immediately led the team to the NFC Championship Game.
The rest is history as he and Drew Brees formed a dynamic duo that led to a Super Bowl win and routine postseason appearances and success.
But his future is now reportedly up in the air after Saints owner Gayle Benson said she isn’t sure what his plans are for 2022.
“I don’t think any of us know.” https://t.co/0JgGpwohpE
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 24, 2022
Payton signed a five-year extension in 2019, so this is a surprise.
Yet he could still opt to resign to either get some rest or to take a job in television.
This monumental news has the entire NFL world reacting on social media.
NFL World Reacts To The Sean Payton News
This is obviously big news and the reaction is all over the place.
Sean Payton to LV?
— The Podfather (@TheBurgundyZone) January 24, 2022
If Sean Payton and Aaron Rodgers both wind up in Denver (scary potential there) they should rename the team the Denver Bros
— Jeff Miller (@jefe_miller) January 24, 2022
Would you trade the Cardinals’ first-round pick to the New Orleans Saints for head coach Sean Payton? pic.twitter.com/tJaH71eanN
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) January 24, 2022
Plenty of fans around the NFL are dreaming up scenarios in which Payton could coach their favorite teams.
Remember, coaches can be traded in the NFL as long as they are under contract.
A situation could arise where Payton asks to be traded to a specific team to become their next head coach.
Sean Payton is one of the best coaches in the league IMO. Ain’t no way they are actually thinking about this. https://t.co/sCTIN0useF
— ॐ 🙇🏽♂️ (@Omnipresent108) January 24, 2022
Anyways it would suck if Sean Payton left the Saints
— 🎭 (@_stuckonstupid) January 24, 2022
If the #Saints lose HC Sean Payton, I'm hanging up my jersey as a fan. He & Brees are 2 of the best things that ever happened to the organization. I know he can't coach us forever, but I still have hope that he can make one run to the SB. We just need our players to stay healthy! https://t.co/QetQZvZBMH
— Jimmie Johnson Jr. (@itsjimmieontv) January 24, 2022
Meanwhile, Saints fans are hoping these rumors don’t lead to any changes.
It is just alarming that the owner of the franchise isn’t sure what the head coach will do even though he is under contract.
That is a bad spot to be in as other teams fill up their head coaching vacancies with top candidates.
Can we hire Sean Payton as our OC? #BillsMafia #NFLTwitter
— The Real Jesse Thomas (@JTT81) January 24, 2022
New Dolphins agenda:
Acquire Sean Payton and sign Aaron Rodgers in the off-season.
— Michael (@michael5rsn) January 24, 2022
Sean Payton and Aaron Rodgers in LV? #RaiderNation
— RaidEric (@RaiderThunder) January 24, 2022
This is a unique situation and Payton has done enough in New Orleans to where they may be willing to give him a trade to his preferred destination.
If not, he could always resign and head to the television ranks to see how he likes that.
No one seems to know what is going on here and the Payton saga has suddenly become a top story out of nowhere.
NEXT: Ian Book Continues A Rough NFL Trend
