If Sean Payton was looking to burn any bridges with his former franchise, the New Orleans Saints, he might have found a passive-aggressive way to do so. In comparing his situation in Denver to his time in the Bayou, he even said that his new team’s analytics operations were far superior now.
Sean Payton via New Orleans Saints YouTube
Payton previously coached the Saints for sixteen seasons from 2006-2020, compiling a record of 152–89. Led by Drew Brees, his 2010 squad would go on to win Super Bowl XLIV over the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17. He is the winningest coach in franchise history and was often heralded as one of the best coaches and most innovative offensive minds in the NFL.
However, he would depart following the 2020 season and then got wrapped up in a tampering scandal with the Miami Dolphins. The League handed out fines and suspensions to the ‘Phins after they illegally negotiated with both Payton and quarterback Tom Brady to bring their talents to South Beach.
Sean Payton via New Orleans Saints YouTube
Now 59 years old, Sean Payton is looking to turn around another downtrodden organization in Denver. He’s inheriting a team that went 5-12 and finished last in the AFC West in 2022. Quarterback Russell Wilson is coming off a down year, and there are a lot of holes that need to be filled. That will start this week, with the 2023 NFL Draft.
Sean Payton is pretty confident in being able to turn around the team. During his pre-draft press conference, however, he seemed to take a little jab at the way his former franchise handled their scouting. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to get folks in Cajun Country talking.
Payton complimented the scouting department and said that the Broncos’ analytics department, “is on a different level here,” compared to what he was working with in New Orleans.
“I’m like that driver of a new car that still hasn’t figured out how to get the seat warmers on,” he continued. “It’s pretty impressive, and it’s new for me in a good way. I’m talking about the efficiency of the process. We weren’t as far ahead (in New Orleans) when we were looking at some of these players as to be able to pick up and access the information as quickly.”
Sean Payton via Denver Broncos YouTube
While it may not have necessarily meant to be a slight on the folks in New Orleans, a few of them certainly took it that way. In all fairness, however, Payton might have just been fired up in preparation for a huge weekend ahead.
The Broncos won’t select until the third round when they have the number 67 (from Indianapolis) and 68 picks, back-to-back. They only have five picks total in 2023, due to trading their own first-rounder (now the No. 5 overall pick) and the 2023 second-round pick to the Seahawks to acquire Russell Wilson last year.
Sean Payton via Denver Broncos YouTube
Still, Sean Payton remains convinced the team can find value in this year’s amateur selection process, through proper patience, study, and due diligence.
“The reason these meetings go for three weeks, four weeks, and into the late nights… It’s no different than game planning in football,” Payton said. “On Sunday, you’re making a call on fourth-and-four, but that was decided on Wednesday night. I think the same thing takes place relative to the draft.”
“With each of these three days, oftentimes there are certain decisions and reactions that have been kind of covered well before it ever took place. I think that’s the best way to handle it.”
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