Sean Payton, Rams share mutual interest, report says

Alec Brzezinski

Sean Payton, Rams share mutual interest, report says image

Sean Payton may finally be moving out of New Orleans.

The offense-minded coach has been surrounded by rumors for a couple offseasons now, and NFL.com reported Sunday that there is "mutual interest" between Payton and the Rams.

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Payton, who last led the Saints to the playoffs in 2013 and won a Super Bowl in 2009, is owed $40 million by the Saints. General manager Mickey Loomis would likely have to send Payton to Los Angeles via trade with little compensation in return due to his lofty price tag.

For all of the hype surrounding the Drew Brees-Payton relationship, the two have failed to help the team win games in recent seasons. Payton focuses on offense, and New Orleans' defense is annually one of the worst in the league.

Should Payton wind up with the Rams, he will have a project on his hands. Rookie quarterback Jared Goff, the top pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, looked like a deer in headlights during limited action this season. Payton would have to be patient with Goff after working with one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

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New Orleans could turn to Doug Marrone or Dennis Allen as head coaching candidate should Payton leave, according to the report. They both have NFL head coaching experience.

 

Alec Brzezinski