All of a sudden, there might not be a market for Sean Payton in the NFL

Sometimes, your stock is hot.

And sometimes, just like that, it’s not.

The market appears to have gone cold for Sean Payton to take an NFL head-coaching job this offseason. Both Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported on NFL Network on Wednesday that Payton may not take a job, or frankly, be offered one.

“When this all started, the assumption was as soon as Sean Payton decided where he was going to go, then everyone would know where they’re going to go and then the coaching searches will resume from there. It’s now reached a different point. And if you go through the different places that Sean Payton has interviewed, it does not seem like a second interview is coming with any of those places,” Rapoport said.

From NFL Now: As teams line up second interviews, former #Saints coach Sean Payton does not have one lined up. Will all the spots fill up? pic.twitter.com/HG5qCXR3g1

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 25, 2023

Rapoport went through the teams and said the Panthers and Texans are likely to go in a different direction. He said the Cardinals could talk to Payton tomorrow, but might make a move on Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn first. And as for the Broncos, they might just not be that interested.

“You have the Denver Broncos, who seem to be focusing their attention elsewhere. Not saying he’s out, but they do seem to be focusing elsewhere,” Rapoport said.

Garofolo followed this up by saying it’s looking more likely that Payton will return to FOX in 2023 for his job as an NFL analyst. He could test the waters again next year, when more jobs are open, including ones he might rather take. Or that would rather have him.

From NFL Now on @nflnetwork, to steal a line from my pal @JeffDuncan_, the longer this goes for Sean Payton, the more it seems he’s headed back to FOX for another year. pic.twitter.com/FbkhvF0VZb

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 25, 2023

Rapoport put a bow on the whole situation, again making it feel like Payton will not be a head coach this coming season.

“As of right now it does not seem like there is a place for Sean Payton. We’ll see, but it does not seem like there’s a place in the coaching world right now,” Rapoport said.

As for the Broncos, Pro Football Talk reported on Wednesday night that David Shaw and DeMeco Ryans look like the favorites. Shaw, the former Stanford head coach, could be hired today if they so desired. Ryans will lead the 49ers as defensive coordinator in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.

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