Sean Payton decided after the 2021 NFL season that he needed a break from his NFL coaching duties. While Payton took a job with FOX sports, he has always left the door open for a return to the NFL.
It has now become more likely as of late that Payton needed just one season off and is ready to join the coaching trenches yet again.
On Sunday morning, NFL Insider for CBS Sports, Jonathan Jones reported that Payton wants to take the job as the Los Angeles Chargers head coach.
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While it appears that he wants the task of coaching quarterback Justin Herbert and an overall young and talented team, the Chargers have yet to part ways with head coach Brandon Staley. But that doesn't mean that the franchise won't move on.
Heading into the Wild Card matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, speculation was high that Staley would be relieved of his coaching duties if he couldn't pull off the win.
Losing a 27-point lead in the second half and then losing the game could definitely be enough to push the Chargers into hiring a new coach. The days ahead should be interesting to see if the Chargers can make a move in regards to their head coach.
Were the Arizona Cardinals interested in hiring Sean Payton?
The Arizona Cardinals requested an interview with Sean Payton last week after the team fired Kliff Kingsbury. The former longtime New Orleans Saints head coach was said to be interested in taking the job with the Arizona Cardinals.
Regardless of which team the former head coach does eventually decide to coach for, will need to work out a trade with the New Orleans Saints. The Arizona Cardinals, who apparently have a strong interest in hiring Sean Payton, were willing to part with a package of draft picks to hire him.
The Arizona Cardinals have the third overall draft pick in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft and a trade for a head coach would likely cost the organization that high draft pick.
But Sunday morning's report could indicate that the Los Angeles Chargers may now be in the driver's seat when it comes to hiring him. If that were the case, then the Arizona Cardinals' situation may have gone from bad to worse as they look to right the ship and get back on track next season under a new head coach.