It is uncommon to read scuttlebutt about which job a coach wants. The job market for people without a job is different. There are a lot of candidates in the interview lobby. Sean is in a unique position where he can make decisions.
He is an offensive genius. In 16 seasons in New Orleans, the Saints finished first in total offense six times and second in scoring four times. They gained more yards in 12 years than any other team. He was gone the same way as the person in the movie.
The Saints offense has fallen off in his absence. He was a studio analyst for Fox. Unlike most retired coaches, we didn't bury the career of the man. He was expected to come back after a sabbatical. He tried to get Tom Brady to come to Miami, but the plan fell through. He decided to spill his football knowledge on Colin Cowherd.
It couldn't last. The Los Angeles Clippers and Arizona Cardinals are the two teams that have been narrowed down by the coach. Mike McCarthy breathed a sigh of relief as the wind blew through Dallas.
He's fixated on teams with franchise quarterbacks, because he has options. Los Angeles has a good quarterback situation. They lack in offensive ingenuity and mismanagement. Joe Lombardi has been in charge of the offensive side. After being praised for his lethal downfield passing during his first two trips around the NFL, he has suddenly developed the passing profile of Chad Pennington.
Arizona's problems are well known and Kliff Kingsbury's genius is overstated. He doesn't use pre-snap motion, his teams don't like each other in the second half of the season, and his relationship with his quarterback is rocky. The offensive personnel on Arizona aren't used very often. Murray may be a little small, but that doesn't mean he can't be a great signal caller. The Cardinals might as well spend all their money in Murray.
There is a paint-by-numbers spread offensive scheme that isn't cutting it. The bespoke offense he will design for Murray should have enough doohickies to keep defenses honest and open up the field for the Cards.
One obstacle is present. The team that eventually hires him will have to give the New Orleans Saints picks. The most prolific coaches to be traded while under contract are the ones that have been around for a long time. The Chiefs head coach was let go from his contract. They forwarded a fourth-round pick. The Raiders traded Jon Gruden to the Buccaneers in 2002 in exchange for two first round picks and two second round picks. In the first year, the city won a Superbowl.
Brandon Staley should feel uneasy because of the reports. The Bolts are struggling this season, but they have generated more goodwill in Los Angeles than they have in half the time. The Cards have never been a top 10 scoring team.
There was a time when his name was associated with the Dallas job. After watching the Cowboys destroy the Vikings, he realized he should have a backup plan.
The #PaytonWatch has hovered around vulnerable coaches all season long. If you end a two-game losing streak, you will feel the presence of Payton in the room. Active coaches are hoping a coaching sacrifice is made on the Sean Payton altar in order to turn the heat down on the rest of them.
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