If Sean Payton is going to be the next head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Indy must be prepared to give up a lot to acquire him.
With the NFL entering the last week of the regular season, it’s almost time for a lot of the league to get started on their offseason plans. Teams like the Indianapolis Colts will be focused on finding their next head coach and the team’s next quarterback, in addition to trying to address many other roster issues. One of the names that will be in the spotlight this offseason is former head coach, Sean Payton.
Payton, who retired from coaching after last season with the New Orleans Saints, is expected to get back on the sidelines after a one-season hiatus. Considering his history in the league, Payton will be one of the most coveted coaching candidates in this hiring cycle. However, there is one problem with all of the interest surrounding Sean Payton: he is still under contract with the New Orleans Saints. That means any desire to return to coaching that isn’t with New Orleans must be orchestrated by the Saints.
Fortunately for the teams looking for a head coach, the Saints are willing to do business for Payton. However, that business will be pricey. NFL insider, Adam Schefter, recently reported that the New Orleans Saints will be asking for a package that includes a first-round pick in order to deal Sean Payton to another franchise.
HC trades the past 25 years:
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 1, 2023
1) Belichick from #Jets to #Patriots for 1st, 4th, 7th.
2) Gruden from #Raiders to #Bucs for two 1sts, two 2nds and $8M in cash.
3) Holmgren from #Packers to #Seahawks for a 2nd round pick.
4) Parcells from #Patriot to #Jets for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
Is a first-round pick too much for the Colts to acquire Sean Payton?
Like players, coaches can be traded from team to team. Although it is much rarer, it has been done before, for some pretty good coaches at that. That’s likely why the Saints will demand a first-round pick amongst other things. Sean Payton is a Super Bowl-winning head coach with a 152-89 record and nine postseason wins. Considering the packages it took to get other head coaches, New Orleans will likely end up with a first-round pick if some team is serious about Payton.
Should the Colts be serious about getting Sean Payton? Probably not for a 2023 first-round Draft pick. Indianapolis needs to add a lot of pieces to its roster and the probable top-five pick that the team could have will help with that tremendously. Depending on how things unfold, the Colts could be high enough to land a franchise quarterback in this year’s draft. It’s hard to imagine a QB-needy team like Indy passing that opportunity up. Especially since the pool of head coaching candidates will be so deep this offseason.
This isn’t to say that Indianapolis shouldn’t inquire about Payton; the team should definitely explore the idea of him as a coaching option. However, if the Colts can’t make Sean Payton head coach without taking too much of a hit in the draft, Indy should look elsewhere for the team’s next head coach.
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