NFL Rumors: Has the Sean Payton ship sailed? Broncos looking elsewhere after interviewing ex-Saints HC

Sean Payton is the biggest name out there when it comes to head coaching candidates, but one team may have given up on hiring him. The Denver Broncos could look elsewhere to fill their vacant head coaching position after interviewing the Super Bowl-winning head coach.

It is rumored that San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is high on the list for the Broncos.

Greg Penner, the team's chief executive officer and owner, has spent the last couple of days with the other owners. These owners include Carrie Penner, Rob Walton and Condoleezza Rice. General manager George Paton is involved in the process as well. Penner seems to be taking a thorough process with respect to the head coaching search.

The process includes follow-up conversations both within and outside of Broncos headquarters to assess their skills and interest in the head coaching role. Should Penner decide to interview Ryans for a second time, he will have to wait until early next week. The 49ers are playing against the Eagles for the NFC Championship.

Penner started his search for a head coach after firing Nathaniel Hackett with two weeks left in the regular season. The last three head coaches for the Denver Broncos all shared a common trait. Vance Joseph, Vic Fangio, and Hackett didn't have any head coaching experience when hired.

Denver would ideally like to hire a head coach with some experience and Sean Payton checks the box in that regard.

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Why Sean Payton's resume makes him the most ideal candidate for the Broncos

Payton was hired as the 14th head coach of the New Orleans Saints back in January 2006. He led the Saints to the playoffs in his first season, going 10 - 6 and winning the NFC South division. The Saints would make it to the NFC Conference Championship game, losing to the Chicago Bears.

In the 2009 season, the Saints made it to their first-ever Super Bowl, defeating Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

In January of last year, Sean Payton stepped down as the Saints' head coach after 15 seasons. He has accumulated a record of 152 - 89, including nine seasons with 10 -plus wins. His 152 wins and nine playoff wins are the most in franchise history.

Will the former New Orleans Saints coach land in Denver, or is he headed elsewhere this offseason?