Be Prepared For More Sean Payton Rumors Tomorrow

It seems ever since the New Orleans Saints 2015 campaign took a nose dive, the rumors have become more and more prevalent involving head coach Sean Payton’s alleged impending departure.

Followers of the team have almost gotten used to the fact that every Sunday, they will tune into a pregame sports broadcast or log onto social media and see NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport or CBSSports.com’s Jason LaCanfora predict a new landing spot for Payton.

Destinations like the Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, or even the Dallas Cowboys; have a conspiracy theory-type small layer of connection as to why it would be feasible.

Everything from his mentor Bill Parcells, close proximity to his children, to just a plain old-fashioned fresh start, has been put out there as reasons.

Aug 21, 2006; Shreveport, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Paton shakes hands with Dallas Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells after a preseason game at Independence Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Payton has jokingly labeled them as “splash reports” and points out that it’s no coincidence that they come out on a Sunday morning when media outlets know people will be turning on television sets or logging on to Twitter.

Despite all the reports, Payton has been adamant that he envisions himself coaching in New Orleans “long past this season”.

I completely understand the frustration on both the rumors and the thought of the slight possibility that Payton could exit the Big Easy; but they have been there for a while now and head coaching arrivals or departures always come when a team is in a slump much like the one that the Saints have been for the last year and a half.

I recall at the end of the 2012 season when Payton was suspended the entire year for Bountygate; that the NFL Network’s Albert Breer cited “sources” told him that the Saints head coach was said to be in the mix for the same position with the Cowboys.

Nov 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton on the sideline during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. The Texans defeated the Saints 24-6. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Immediately I had friends and people that followed my writing blowing up my phone or commenting on social media asking, “Did you hear that Payton is gone?!?” or “Why is Sean leaving man he’s just getting back from the suspension?”

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Well played, Breer — well played.

Over the years I’ve learned to interpret media jargon such as “in the mix/is being considered for the position” to mean “hey their name got brought up.”

Kinda like if I said to one of the national media reporters, “Hey it’d be cool to own a private jet” then it would get reported as Breaking:  Gene Higginbotham plans on opening his own airport!!

But you get the picture right?

Then brace yourself for another round on Sunday morning because more splash reports will be inbound concerning Sean Payton with two possible jobs at least.

Actually one already started when FOX Sports reported that New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin may resign following the team’s final game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday afternoon.

Immediately following that, Ralph Vacchiano, a Giants columnist for the NY Daily News, posted this to his Twitter account:

Now, rumors of Coughlin leaving seem to happen every year and even was whispered in 2011….until they turned the season around and won the Super Bowl as the literal underdogs.

The report by Fox Sports states that Coughlin is basically ready to move on from the franchise after posting their third straight losing season.

Another spot that Sean Payton may be rumored to land as a possibility is the Cleveland Browns as NFL.com’s Rand Getlin is reporting that Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers could be the final one for Mike Pettine as head coach.

There is also the contention from CBSSports.com’s Will Brinson that former Eagles head coach Chip Kelly could be in the running for the position if Pettine is let go, since the Browns tried to land him prior to Philly grabbing him.

But as always, we’ll never know what truly will happen until the dreaded “Black Monday” — when coaching changes usually happen for teams that aren’t in the playoff mix.

Granted that nothing is ever guaranteed when it comes to the NFL, but I see Sean Payton continuing his stay with New Orleans and surely can’t imagine the franchise letting him stroll out the front door of Airline Drive without a fight…..