Sean Payton Will Not Leave Saints

The Giants can cross off Sean Payton from their proverbial head coaching list. Payton announced Wednesday that he plans on remaining with the Saints for 2016 and beyond, "as long as they'll have me." 

Payton decision to stay in New Orleans is both sudden and surprising. Many speculated that the Saints were willing to let Payton walk away after the season was over, and there was even talk that Payton wasn't sure what the future plans were for the Benson family that owns the Saints. There was even a report that the Saints were asking for a second round pick for Payton for any team that desires to have him as their coach. 

Those ideas are dead now. Payton, who has two years remaining on his contract, will remain a Saint. Payton added that he has no plans of leaving the Saints, emphasizing he wants to coach no where else. In addition, the coach let it be known that Drew Brees will be his quarterback, in spite of his big contract and age. 

"I think it's a good assumption," was the coaches answer to the return of his quarterback. 

Payton's return to New Orleans should be celebrated. While he has not had a great football team the past few seasons, the guy made the Saints a relevant franchise again, including winning a Super Bowl. Payton is 30 games over .500 (87-57) as head coach, and really the only thing the Saints need to focus on this off-season is rebuilding a defense that has been one of the worst in football the past three seasons. 

With Payton now off the board for the Giants, and just about every other team with a coaching vacancy, other viable options will get more scrutiny. The Giants are ready to interview in-house candidates, Steve Spagnuolo and Ben McAdoo, as well as Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase. Another possible option will be Panthers' defensive coordinator Sean McDermott. Bill Cowher, a name that has been attached to the job for years thanks to sheer speculation, will be a name likely floated around again.