Sean Payton, who is up for numerous NFL coaching openings, delivered an extremely transparent interview with Colin Cowherd on Fox Sports’ The Herd on Monday afternoon.
Payton spoke at length with Cowherd, particularly about the Houston Texans’ job, one that he said he would “absolutely” consider.
.@SeanPayton addresses head coach openings pic.twitter.com/LYWpWlcalC
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) January 16, 2023
“They’ve got really good draft capital,” Payton said to Cowherd. “Really good draft capital…I think there’s growth potential immediately there from their two or three wins that they had this year.”
Sean Payton, open and honest, with Colin Cowherd about the Texans job. Says he’s familiar with Cal McNair, likes the AFC South, and has a prior relationship with Nick Caserio through the Saints/Patriots relationship. He’s meeting with McNair this week. https://t.co/RVfR8zxiAF
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) January 16, 2023
The Texans hold both the No. 2 and No. 12 overall picks in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. They acquired the latter pick from the Cleveland Browns in the Deshaun Watson trade.
Though, it’s not only about the draft capital for Payton. He has a level of familiarity with Texans owner Cal McNair, who he plans to meet this week. At the same time, Payton has a prior relationship with general manager Nick Caserio, dating back to when they were with the Patriots and Saints, respectively. Payton also seems to be intrigued about the prospect of playing in the AFC South.
There appear to be a lot of familiarities for Payton in Houston, though, at the same time he made sure to acknowledge that there will be pros and cons of any job he elects to take.
With that being said, in order for a team to hire Payton, they will need to acquire his rights from the Saints. According to NFL insider Ari Meirov, it’s going to take at least a mid-to-late first-round pick.
Sean Payton said on @TheHerd that he has spoken to #Saints GM Mickey Loomis and trade compensation to acquire him will probably be "a mid-to-late first-round pick.”
Could change depending on teams, but that seems to be the asking price.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 16, 2023
“Sean Payton said on The Herd that he has spoken to Saints GM Mickey Loomis and trade compensation to acquire him will probably be a ‘mid-t0-late first-round pick,'” Meirov said in a tweet.
Payton is the most coveted head coach on the market and his interview with Cowherd not only offered a refreshing look at the process but peeled back the curtain on the teams that are interested in the former Saints’ head coach. In any event, the Texans seem to be a real landing spot for Payton as he weighs his options going forward.
[The Herd]
