UPDATE (11:00 P.M. ET): Sean Payton confirmed that he’ll stay in New Orleans in a press conference Wednesday.
“I’ll be here as long as they’ll have me,” Payton said, via ESPN. “I know it appeared there was a looming decision. But I think this is really me saying again, ‘Here I am, and nothing’s changing.'”
ORIGINAL STORY: The NFL coaching carousel is about to kick it into high gear.
The biggest head coach domino has fallen, as New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton is staying in New Orleans, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday afternoon.
Payton still has two seasons left on his contract with the Saints, but the club reportedly was open to “trading” Payton if they were able to get the right deal. The head coach and general manager Mickey Loomis were able to reach the agreement that Payton would stay, Rapoport reported.
According to reports, it would have taken at least a second-round pick in order for a team to negotiate and acquire Payton, who’s considered one of the NFL’s top head coaches.
Payton stormed onto the scene in 2006 and led the Saints to five playoff appearances in his first seven seasons with the club, including a Super Bowl at the end of the 2009 season.
However, the Saints have struggled the last two seasons, missing the playoffs in both 2014 and 2015, finishing both seasons with a 7-9 record.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
