What felt like a tumultuous Denver Broncos coaching search has ended up with Sean Payton being tabbed to save Russell Wilson and NFL fans were buzzing.
Over the past 48 hours, the Denver Broncos coaching search had been confusing more than anything. It seemed as if they were pivoting back to Jim Harbaugh after an ill-fated DeMeco Ryans pursuit. But now the dust is settling and it’s all becoming clear: It might’ve been Sean Payton all along.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Broncos agreed to trade compensation with the New Orleans Saints in order to hire Payton to be the next head coach and task him with saving Russell Wilson after an atrocious first year in Denver following a massive trade.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was first with the news that Payton would be hired by the Broncos while ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed the trade compensation: Denver sends a 2023 first-round pick and 2024 second-round pick to the Saints for Payton and a 2024 third-round pick.
The #Saints and #Broncos just finalized the deal on compensation and sources say New Orleans gets a first-rounder and an early pick — likely a 2nd rounder — but also give a pick back. Complex deal but now done. Sean Payton will be the #Broncos coach.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 31, 2023
Compensation: Denver’s 2023 first-round pick and next year’s second-round pick for Sean Payton and the Saints’ 2024 third.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 31, 2023
Funniest memes and tweets after Broncos hire Sean Payton, trade with Saints
With Payton being lured out of the FOX broadcast booth and the Broncos making the hire by agreeing to the trade with the Saints, NFL Twitter undoubtedly was buzzing.
Congrats Sean Payton. https://t.co/BmljIgnFU1 pic.twitter.com/ygIXmjDT5g
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) January 31, 2023
Sean Payton for Bradley Chubb is a good trade. https://t.co/Kyc8y34Eve
— Danny Heifetz (@Danny_Heifetz) January 31, 2023
Russell Wilson seeing Sean Payton as the next head coach pic.twitter.com/97UiW66exi
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) January 31, 2023
Sean Payton to Russ by Week 8 https://t.co/YzCvSdt6WV pic.twitter.com/4cz3yzZCb3
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) January 31, 2023
Taysom Hill and Russell Wilson meeting each other for the first time after Sean Payton trades for him: pic.twitter.com/YDhf1WxbU1
— ChiefsJayhawksRoyals (@CJR16255) January 31, 2023
Michael Thomas trying to get on Sean Payton flight to Denver knowing he’ll get 60 quick slants from Russell Wilson pic.twitter.com/3FsdYiVh3Q
— John (@iam_johnw) January 31, 2023
Saints fans telling Sean Payton bye after getting a 1st rounder for him
— Elvin Ryan (@ElvinRyan_FF) January 31, 2023
pic.twitter.com/ASRlckctES
Thinking about drafting Russell Wilson next season with Sean Payton in Denver pic.twitter.com/kh7zRQCjPK
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) January 31, 2023
*Broncos finalizing a deal to make Sean Payton the next head coach
— Mile High Sports (@MileHighSports) January 31, 2023
All of #BroncosCountry: pic.twitter.com/D2Ri2WnKc7
The 59-year-old stepped away from the Saints after the 2021 season and one year without Drew Brees at the helm. Over his time in New Orleans that began back in 2006, though, he earned a 152-89 record with seven NFC South titles, three NFC Championship Game appearances and one Super Bowl victory.
Now he’ll be tasked with salvaging the situation with the Broncos. Wilson was a flat-out bust under Nathaniel Hackett in the previous head coach’s one year in Denver and everything spiraled from there. With Payton and his track record, though, there is hope that things can, in fact, be saved, Wilson in particular.