Report: Sean Payton, Saints can talk

[cajuncocoa]

The NFL has granted the New Orleans Saints permission to negotiate a new contract with suspended coach Sean Payton, according to a report by the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

The newspaper reported that, while Payton's suspension for his involvement in the bounty scandal forbids him from speaking with the organization, he and the Saints are permitted to speak in regards to his contract situation.

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported Sunday that a previous contract extension between Payton and the Saints was voided by the league. Should the two sides be unable to reach agreement on a new deal, Payton would be a free agent.

Saints QB Drew Brees has no doubt he'll be reunited with Payton in 2013.http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8598723/report-sean-payton-new-orleans-saints-talk-contract-suspension

[burmafrd]

well hopefully that ends the stupid talk about him coming here.

Was never going to happen though I would have been happy.

[SkinsandTerps]

He expects to remain in New Orleans...and the speculation is that he will be the highest paid coach in the NFL with his new contract.

[hsfolk]

Sources: Saints owner considering making Sean Payton highest-paid coach in NFL

The question has been a popular one in recent days: Where will exiled coach Sean Payton (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/eye-on-football/20843399/saints-can-will-negotiate-with-sean-payton-during-suspension) coach once he returns to the NFL?

The answer might be a simple one. Saints (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/page/NO/new-orleans-saints) owner Tom Benson is strongly considering making Payton the highest-paid coach in football, according to league sources.

Payton wants to be the highest-paid, and Benson might be willing to accomodate him. Patriots coach Bill Belichick is the NFL's highest paid coach, checking in at a reported $7.5 million per year (http://www.forbes.com/sites/tomvanriper/2012/05/15/the-highest-paid-coaches-in-sports/).

Benson, I'm told, has long thought of Payton as the best coach in football. It was Payton, of course, who made the Saints one of the most unlikely champions in all of sports. Benson has never forgotten what Payton did and wants to reward him for that, I'm told.

Benson also feels strongly that the Saints' slow start to the season (the team is performing better now) isn't as much about Bountygate as it is about not having Payton for the season.


more
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/mike-freeman/20852747/sources-saints-owner-considering-making-payton-highest-paid-coach-in-nfl

[Seven]

well hopefully that ends the stupid talk about him coming here.

Was never going to happen though I would have been happy.

Does anyone really think Sean would leave his current coaching family and work with the likes of the final decision maker/GM/CEO/Owner in Jerry?

Even with the right amount of money that'd be a tough decision.

[Joe Rod]

Our only hope is if Benson all of the sudden decides to be Benson and tries to get Sean on the cheap.