Sean Payton: “I think I made the decision during the latter part of the season. It wasn’t one game or a specific moment, but it just felt like it was time... I would really love to get into the television broadcasting side of the game, and fortunately, since the day of the press conference, I’ve already received several calls. Every once in a while I think it’s okay to step outside and be a little uncomfortable, and I think that had a lot to do with the decision. I have no idea if I’d like to go the studio or commentating route, but I’d honestly love an expert to advise me on what route I should take.”
Listen to the now-former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton join The Dan Patrick Show to discuss his decision to step away from the Saints organization after 15 seasons.
The decision was a bit surprising considering Payton is only 58 years old, an age still way behind other future Hall of Fame coaches like Pete Carroll (70), and Bill Belichick (69), and the fact that New Orleans was coming off a very impressive 9-8 campaign where Payton's group unexpectedly swept the defending Super Bowl champion Bucs in the regular season again and nearly made the playoffs without a reliable quarterback in place.
Many even called it Payton's 'best job ever' as Saints head coach given the team's personnel shortcomings on offense with Jameis Winston's season-ending injury, Michael Thomas' complete exodus, and missed games by Alvin Karama, and Taysom Hill.
Check out the interview above as Payton discusses his immediate plans and his feelings about his legacy in New Orleans.
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