Let's Set Odds: What will Sean Payton do Next?

Add the New Orleans Saints to the growing list of teams now in search of a new head coach.

After speculation over the last few days that Payton could walk away from coaching in 2022 via FOX Sports' Jay Glazer, the news has indeed been confirmed. The Saints will hold a press conference Tuesday afternoon as Payton departs after 16 years on the job.

Payton won the Super Bowl with Drew Brees and the Saints back in 2009, and finished 241-152 overall during his time in New Orleans. In 15 seasons, they had double digit wins in nine of them, with four 13-win seasons in 2009, 2011, 2018 and 2019.

This year, the Saints began the season with Jameis Winston as their starting quarterback and began the season 5-2. However, once Winston was lost for the season due to a torn ACL, New Orleans finished 4-7, failing to make the postseason for the first time since 2016.

While the Saints will now begin their search for either an internal candidate (perhaps someone like defensive coordinator Dennis Allen who has head coaching experience), or search for hires outside their building, what will Payton do next?

Let's set odds on what his next future move may look like.

Odds for Sean Payton's Next Career Move

• Become a TV analyst (+175)
• Un-Retire and Coach Again (+350)
• Move Upstairs to the Front Office (+600)
• Become a Kevin James Stunt-Double (+3000)

Become a TV analyst (+175)

Payton is a major name who's never shied away from making noteworthy statements when a microphone is in front of him. With NFL rights holders having very deep pockets and looking for the next big name to include either in the booth or the studio, Payton could go the route of a Jon Gruden, Bill Cowher, Steve Mariucci etc, and hype up his offseason value by being outside of coaching, knowing a team would need to make a major effort to get him out of a cushy job broadcasting games.

Un-Retire and Coach Again (+350)

In order for Payton to go to another team, he would need to come out of retirement, and then have one of two things happen. The first would be that the Saints let him out of his remaining contract, to which Payton is still owed $45 million over the next three years. Maybe the Saints agree to let him walk, knowing they wouldn't owe him that money.

However, the far more likely option would be to trade him and receive draft pick or player compensation for Payton to go and work somewhere else. Every bit of draft capital is of vital importance, and with the Saints being way over the salary cap and a potential rebuild likely coming.

Move Upstairs to the Front Office (+600)

While Payton was the head coach collaborating with longtime General Manager Mickey Loomis, there's no question he played a role in player personnel decisions, especially with the quarterback position.

There is a little bit of irony here, however as Taysom Hill is now under contract for four more years as Payton jumps ship. Ultimately, that falls on Loomis, but there's no question that Payton was a major advocate for Hill for many years.

Front office gigs tend to have a lot more stability than head coaching gigs, but I don't see this as a viable option for Payton as he gets older.

Become a Kevin James Stunt-Double (+3000)

Hollywood can be a lot of fun!