Sean Payton will coach the Saints in 2017, and beyond

Just yesterday I wrote about the increased credibility of the reports that Sean Payton wanted out of New Orleans. Well, turns out “increased credibility” still means, in this case, incredible.

Yesterday evening, Sean Payton, in his weekly bit on WWL, told radio host Bobby Herbert that he “absolutely” has no interest in coaching anywhere but New Orleans in 2017.

Payton went on to say that he “definitely” plans to be back as the Saints’ Head Coach next season. “And shoot,” he said, “I’ve got four more years on a contract here, and I plan on honoring that.”

These comments came after a series of reports—from credible sources, mind you, like Mike Tripplet and Larry Holder—cited meetings that Payton planned to have with GM Mickey Loomis about the HC’s future in New Orleans. These reports made much more serious for fans and writers the possibility that Payton’s reported wanderlust was real. These reports, made originaly by Ian Rapoport and Jason La Canfora, cited Payton’s interest in coaching elsewhere, particularly with the Rams.

Well, big surprise, it turns out that Rapoport and La Canfora wrote bogus, speculative rumor pieces. We didn’t fall for them at first. But in the end, backed up by more believable writers, they got to us. Shame.

I hope that Payton’s explicit rejection of the rumors will stop the speculation. But I know it won’t. So I hope that each of you take solace in the fact that we can now know, to a substantial degree of certainty, that Payton wants to be here. These rumors are nothing but rumors.

As to the trending topic of why Payton refuses to address these issues in his postgame interviews and conference calls, I think there’s something to the issue. But not much.

Yes, Payton could difinitevely say: Look, I don’t want to get into the habit of addressing these rumors, because I’ll be expected to address them whenever the come up. But just this once, I’ll say it clearly. I’m not going anywhere.

But when you look at it, he’s not far off from that. In a recent conference call, after patently disagreeing with the Holder and Tripplet reports about his and Mickey’s meeting—they did meet, but they do so after every game, and this instance was no different—he went on to say: “But if I’m going to answer questions to a report like that that’s inaccurate, then we only just feed or turn the rumor mill, and I won’t. And that’s just the way it is, and you know what? That’s tough.” Could he be more explicit? Yes. But he gets the point across. The media can read it however they like, but Payton shouldn’t stoop to answering these questions if he thinks it’ll obligate him to answer similarly in the future.

Coaching 2017 and beyond

Well, some of you might say, just because Payton wants to be here to the end of his contract doesn’t mean he will. Many writers are calling 2017 a “make-or-break” year.

And in many ways, that’s correct. With Drew Brees’ window closing fast, the team will need to make substantial strides next year if they want to contend for a Super Bowl once more with Brees under center.