Aaron Donald

5 teams who should trade for Sean Payton

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:20 p.m. ET

Fansided, Parker Hurley/Fansided

Which teams would be calling the New Orleans Saints for a acquire Sean Payton?

Despite a win in week 15, this will mark the third year in a row that the Saints have not made the postseason. If the Saints lose in the next two weeks, it will be their third straight losing season. With an aging Drew Brees and a team that seems to be stuck in neutral, it makes sense that rumors are starting to circulate that the Saints may be looking to move on from Sean Payton.

Payton is not a poor coach by any stretch. He is still 93-65 in his career, and 6-4 in the playoffs. His offenses have been some of the best in the past decade and the thought would be that if a defense can be built around his offensive gameplans, a shake up to another team would be a successful move. So with that said, who would be in the running for the winning coach from New Orleans?

5. Indianapolis Colts

Sean Payton would not oppose signing an extension if it meant coaching Andrew Luck as he heads into his prime. The Colts have most of the weapons ready to succeed on offense, and with an offensive mastermind such as Payton, it may be a fit that can put this team over the edge.

Of course, the question will be, who is going to run the defense. Payton would have to find someone successful and hand over the keys to them. A name such as Gus Bradley, or another defensive minded coach that will be on the market may be a perfect fit for the offensive Payton.

The Colts currently have Chuck Pagano hired, but he has seemingly been on the hot seat for the past three years. The fact that their offense has not hit peaks like Payton has reached with Brees can speak to why the team is starting to think of options outside of Pagano. The Colts cannot continue to waste their time in neutral, in the same way as the Saints. Both teams can look to shake things up, and spark a trade with each other including by Sean Payton.

Dec 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) after recovering the fumble by running back Carlos Hyde (28) against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at Levi

4. San Francisco 49ers

The Chip Kelly era started, and it started on some rocky waters. The offense is an issue because it hinges on the defense. His up-tempo offense can wear defenses down, but if his offense is going three and out, it is a very quick three and out. Payton is a stronger coach because his game planning revolves around the weaknesses of the opponent. He can air it out with Drew Brees but also has the abilities to establish a running game if needed.

The 49ers are not shy to making brash decisions. In one year of Kelly, with well below level expectations, the thought is that his seat may be hot. If they are hearing that Payton will be available, they certainly could be calling.

The 49ers are on track to finish with the second pick in the NFL draft. The most recent rumors are that the Browns, who have the path to the top pick, are interested in defensive end Myles Garrett. It would leave the 49ers with their pick of any quarterback they want.

If Sean Payton were to be given a longer leash than Kelly and given his pick of whatever quarterback he wants, he may be enticed to sign an extension on the west coast and move on to the Bay area.

December 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) passes the football before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi

3. New York Jets

Todd Bowles has been a strong defensive-minded coach, and in his first year as a head coach, got a team to ten wins. However, the 2016 season, his commitment to Ryan Fitzpatrick, and the way that his team has flat out given up at times this season can give a reason that it is time to move on from Bowles. Once you lose your players, there is no coming back.

What Payton may see here is a team with a defense he has wanting, and an offense just a quarterback and scheme away. The Jets will be picking in the top five this year, but with the addition of Payton, and the talent on the defensive front, they may be players for a quarterback in a trade as well. Tony Romo, Carson Palmer, Jay Cutler and even Drew Brees become names that could be tossed around.

The Jets could then use their draft to sure up the secondary, and come into the season with a true high powered and feared offense. At running back, Matt Forte and Bilal Powell should be a strong duo, and Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa now join Brandon Marshall and a hopefully healthy Eric Decker to form an offense just a quarterback away. Payton can attract that quarterback, and he can revitalize the Jets in one off-season.

Dec 4, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) and Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) react after a play in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars fire their head coach Gus Bradley after an embarrassing 21-20 against their division rival Houston Texans. The Jaguars have begun to assemble a decent defense under Bradley, but the defense, and mainly Blake Bortles have really held this team back.

Whether or not Payton would want to hold onto Bortles, he has a lot of options on offense. Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, and Marqise Lee can be a relied on receiving group. They will pick in the top five, and if Payton has a quarterback worthy of stepping in and succeeding with this group, he can do so. He can also give it a go with Bortles. If anyone in the league can try to make an offense work with Bortles, it would be Payton.
The Jaguars would be a tough sell for anyone right now. Aside from the lack of national recognition, and the attendance issues, the team is stuck with a quarterback bust that they spent a top five pick on, and has a history of missing draft picks blatantly.

They did hit on Jalen Ramsey, and if they find one more hit in back to back off-seasons, this team is not too far from competing. They need to find the major pieces, though, coach and quarterback before they start to lose any of their talents at the other positions.

Dec 4, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws the ball during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots won 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

1. Los Angeles Rams

In moving to Los Angeles, the Rams knew that they had to make a big splash. They did so in drafting Jared Goff first overall, but that has yet to move the needle. Now, they are stuck with Goff, who has some questions, and the San Diego Chargers are coming to town to bring competition in their new city. On top of that, they do not have a coach now of course.

If any team is going to trade for Payton, it is the team without a coach, with the biggest need to go after a big name. The Super Bowl, the idea of Drew Brees blossoming under him, and the past offensive success should give some hope to an offense led by Goff, and the second year running back Todd Gurley.

The Rams have a better defense than the Rams, and with Aaron Donald still a few years away from hitting his prime, the defense should be a strength moving forward. If the Saints can add Payton, make some additions to the receiving corps, and give him time to work on Jared Goff he can be the name that brings success to Los Angeles. It would put him in the bright lights and give him a chance to make a lot of money and have a lot of success for the Rams.