Denver Broncos take massive step forward in head coaching search

The Denver Broncos have an opening at head coach and they’re looking at making a big splash with Super Bowl-winning head coach and current Fox NFL analyst Sean Payton. Payton might not be coaching but he is under contract with the New Orleans Saints until 2024.

Because of that, teams interested in Payton’s coaching services will need permission from the Saints first. And as the NFL is in the midst of the final week of the regular season, it appears the Broncos cleared the first hurdle in trying to get Payton.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Broncos received permission from the Saints to interview Payton after Denver requested to interview him. While the Broncos have permission to interview Payton, they cannot conduct an in-person interview until January 17 at the earliest.

It makes sense for the Saints to allow just about anyone and everyone to interview Payton. Other than maybe their NFC South rivals, if he’s not coaching the Saints and isn’t planning on coming back to coach them, and you can get some compensation in exchange for him coaching a different team, then let other teams try to sign him.

The Broncos need a new head coach, and while just about anyone would be an improvement over Nathaniel Hackett, having Payton would be massive. There is the problem of compensation, though, and that might be the hangup.

The Saints reportedly want at least a first-round pick. While the Broncos have a late first-round pick thanks to a trade from the Miami Dolphins via San Francisco 49ers, they traded their likely top-five draft picks from the first couple rounds to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for Russell Wilson.

Maybe if the Broncos still had their early-round pick, that would be enough. For a late-round pick, it’s possible the Saints seek more. Though if the Broncos went through the effort to get permission and then eventually interview Payton, they at least have an idea of maybe making it work.

[Adam Schefter]