Saints 'open' to trading Sean Payton to Rams, report says

Marc Lancaster

Saints 'open' to trading Sean Payton to Rams, report says image

It doesn't sound like the Saints would stand in the way of coach Sean Payton leaving to join the Rams — as long as they're appropriately compensated, of course.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis "would be open" to trading Payton to the Rams, The Times-Picayune reported, adding that the coach and GM met for about an hour after Sunday's season-ending loss to the Falcons.

It's unclear what the Saints might need in return from the Rams to make a deal. But the opportunity to be out from under Payton's new contract, which pays him an average of $9 million a year, would seem likely to keep the price reasonable for the Rams. 

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Of course, that assumes Payton is indeed the coach they want. Reports over the weekend indicated the Rams have a lengthy list of candidates they plan to interview as they seek a replacement for Jeff Fisher, who was fired last month.

They certainly could do worse than Payton, who is 94-65 in 10 seasons as New Orleans' coach. But the Super Bowl XLIV championship seems distant after three consecutive 7-9 seasons — which is exactly why the Saints appear willing to let him go.

Marc Lancaster

Marc Lancaster Photo

Marc Lancaster joined The Sporting News in 2022 after working closely with TSN for five years as an editor for the company now known as Stats Perform. He previously worked as an editor at The Washington Times, AOL’s FanHouse.com and the old CNNSportsIllustrated.com, and as a beat writer covering the Tampa Bay Rays, Cincinnati Reds, and University of Georgia football and women’s basketball. A Georgia graduate, he has been a Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2013.