Saints owner Gayle Benson confirms Sean Payton’s future is uncertain

If not followed, the organization would take into account the offensive or defensive coordinators to take the chair

METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson acknowledged Monday that coach Sean Payton’s status remains uncertain for the 2022 season when she acknowledged to local reporters, “I don’t think any of us know, but we know. will let you know soon.”

NFL Network reported Sunday that Payton has not yet committed to coaching the Saints again in 2022. Sources confirmed to ESPN that he has not made a definitive statement, though he was expected to return to work this week along with the rest of the Saints after from a vacation last week.

Payton, 58, is under contract through 2024, which means a trade would have to be negotiated for him to coach another team. However, multiple outlets, including ESPN, have reported that television networks have shown considerable interest in Payton if he decides to step down as coach.

Benson, who was at a Mardi Gras-related event, responded to a question about Payton’s status: “We don’t know. You know, who knows? We’ll find out real soon, I guess.”

The organization doesn’t seem to pressure Payton to commit right away, giving him time to relax after a grueling year.

The Saints missed the playoffs for the first time in five seasons going 9-8 in 2021. But in many ways it ranked among Payton’s most impressive jobs considering the retirement of quarterback Drew Brees; a roster depleted by serious injuries, salary-cap cuts and COVID-19 issues, and a hurricane evacuation to Dallas during the first month of the season.

In week 18, Payton acknowledged how difficult the season had been.

“This stretch has been, I don’t want to say grueling, but it’s been one of those where you just go through. Nothing surprises you,” Payton reflected. “When you go back to the beginning of the season, two and a half years ago we were evacuating Dallas for the hurricane. I mean, it doesn’t feel like that’s part of this season.”

If Payton doesn’t follow, the Saints would likely consider both defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. as potential replacements, though they’d certainly explore outside options as well.

Payton is tied for 21st in NFL history with 152 career wins, according to Pro Football Reference. His career record is 152-89 (.631 winning percentage), not including his one-season suspension in 2012. Payton is 9-8 in the postseason, including the only Super Bowl win in NBA history. the franchise in 2010.

Payton has also made his mark as one of the NFL’s greatest offensive minds of all time. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Payton and the Saints rank first in NFL history in both points scored (27.6 per game) and yards gained (391.2 per game) among all coach-team combinations with at least five seasons together.

Payton’s longevity is a rarity in today’s NFL. Only Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots has been with his team longer. Additionally, Payton had four 11-plus win seasons in his second decade with the Saints. Only three other coaches have done that in the Super Bowl era: Belichick (nine), Tom Landry (eight) and Don Shula (six).