• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open! Take the survey
exclusive
Coaches

Carolina Panthers Eyeing Super Bowl-Winning Coach Sean Payton

  • Panthers willing to wait a year while Payton explores TV, said sources.
  • Retired New Orleans Saints coach has TV offers from Amazon and Fox Sports.
Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Payton’s career options keep expanding. 

The Carolina Panthers are eyeing the Super Bowl-winning coach as the savior who can lead them back to the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl, sources told Front Office Sports. 

The Panthers might be willing to wait a year while the former New Orleans Saints head coach recharges his batteries on TV. Matt Rhule is currently entering his third season as head coach of the Panthers.

The 58-year old Payton currently has TV offers from both Amazon and Fox Sports. 

He could serve as either studio analyst for Amazon’s Thursday Night Football coverage or as a game/studio analyst for Fox

During Payton’s season-long suspension in 2012 over “Bountygate,” Fox was the only network to offer Payton a job.

During a podcast appearance with former Saints kicker Morten Andersen, Payton indicated an announcement of his new TV job studio was only days away.

But nobody expects Payton to retire from the sidelines for good. Instead, he’s expected to re-emerge as an NFL head coach during the 2023 season after spending a year on TV. 

A TV “mini-retirement” is a common technique employed by coaches who want to collect a paycheck while taking some time away from the grueling grind of coaching. 

Bruce Arians, for example, called games on CBS Sports for one season in 2018, before returning to coach Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl championship for the 2020 season. Urban Meyer is expected to return to Fox as a college football studio analyst after getting fired by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

If another franchise does hire Payton, they would have to compensate the Saints since he’s under contract through 2024. The cost could be as high as a first- or second-round draft pick.

A Panthers spokesperson told FOS on Thursday: “We would not talk to — or consider — a coach who’s under contract with another team.”

Payton’s reps could not be reached for comment. 

After finishing 5-12 during the 2021 season, the Panthers missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year. Despite two straight five-win seasons, billionaire owner David Tepper recently gave the 47-year old Rhule his blessing.

“I believe in Matt. He has my full support,” said Tepper

In January, Payton announced he was stepping down from the Saints job after 15 years at the helm. He was making around $9 million annually from the Saints. If he returns to coaching, there will be plenty of teams besides the Panthers vying for his services. 

The Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and Miami Dolphins have been cited as possible suitors. 

Payton served as an assistant coach and quarterbacks coach with the Cowboys from 2003 to 2005. He grew up in Illinois — and played quarterback at Eastern Illinois University.

Although Cowboys owner Jerry Jones gave head coach Mike McCarthy a vote of confidence for 2022, media outlets keep referring to Payton as the “coach-in-waiting” for America’s Team.

Payton told Andersen he understands the speculation about his future. But he doesn’t have a “preconceived” notion of what team he wants to coach. 

“Down the road, if I choose to come back and coach, great,” Payton said. “But you want to be good at whatever you’re doing. So I’m looking forward to trying to be good in the studio.

Payton led the Saints to their first and only Super Bowl victory after the 2009 season. Before retiring, he was the league’s second-longest-tenured coach, behind Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots.

Even if the Panthers want Payton, the question remains: Would Payton want the Panthers? The Saints would also have to be willing to trade Payton to their longtime NFC South rivals. After joining the league as an expansion franchise in 1995, the Panthers are 0-2 in Super Bowl appearances.

With a net worth of $16.7 billion, Tepper is the richest owner in the NFL, according to ProFootballTalk. The hedge fund billionaire ranks No. 8 among Forbes’ list of world’s Top 10 richest sports owners.

UPDATE: Asked about the FOS story, Panthers coach Matt Rhule said it was “probably not” something he wanted to hear. But that it was part of the job. And owner David Tepper told him not to worry about his job security.

“With regards to that report, first I heard of it was Dave called me and told me that it was going to come out,” said Rhule according to ProFootballTalk. “They had called him, that there was nothing to it. I know Dave Tepper well enough to believe he wouldn’t be talking to another coach right now. He came to my house two-and-a-half years ago and told me this is a five-year rebuild. That’s what he said to me. He convinced me then to come be a part of it and build it with him. We’re not where we want to be. I don’t think it’s gonna take five years, I don’t want it to take five years, but those are the words he said to me.”

Rhule has completed a 10-23 record in his two seasons at the helm. After starting last season 3-0, the Panthers lost 12 of their last 14 games, including the last seven in a row.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Tom Brady Set to Join Raiders Ownership As NFL Approval Nears

The NFL icon’s long-awaited deal to buy part of the Raiders is now set for an ownership vote.
Sep 15, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs fans celebrate after a touchdown by Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

‘This Is My Whole Life’: How Swifties Became NFL Superfans

The “Chiefties” have arrived. And they are “fully committed” to football.

ESPN Expands ‘Monday Night Football’ on ABC With Six Additional Games

The 2024 slate of dual-network NFL coverage now looks much more like last year’s.

Haason Reddick Fired by Own CAA Agents $9 Million Into Jets Holdout

The star rusher has not played all season over a contract dispute.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Haason Reddick’s Holdout Continues With Top NFL Agent

0:00

Featured Today

Sep 21, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) walks through Buff Walk before the game against the Baylor Bears at Folsom Field.
opinion

The NIL Era Is a Wild West. Is Anyone Surprised?

Amateurism is dead and college athletes are professionals. How’s that working out?
October 11, 2024

‘We’re Ready for FBS’: Sacramento State Is Serious About the Jump

How the Hornets got themselves on the short list of potential call-ups.
Duante' Abercrombie News Ch.4 interview
October 9, 2024

Tennessee State’s Ambitious Plan to Launch an HBCU Hockey Program

TSU has big plans, but the university is facing an existential dilemma.
October 8, 2024

Ryan Smith Sees Salt Lake City As Next Vegas-Like Sports Town

Utah Hockey Club’s owner says all the pieces are falling into place.
Natalie Nakase

Valkyries Coach Natalie Nakase: Joe Lacob Wants a Title Within Five Years

Nakase was hired Thursday as the Valkyries’ first coach.
Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin (left) and head coach Billy Napier talk before a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
September 16, 2024

What Are Coaches Billy Napier’s and Mike Norvell’s Respective Buyouts?

Florida and Florida State have struggled mightily to begin this season.
September 16, 2024

Coaching Hot Seats Heat Up Despite Expanded Playoffs, Massive Buyouts

Despite college and pro football season having just started, several coaches are already facing public pressure.
Sponsored

Rivalries Reign Across Red River and the Beltway, London Calling

According to data from TickPick, renewed battles between bitter foes are spiking ticket prices.
September 13, 2024

Pochettino, U.S. Soccer Thinking Big

U.S. Soccer formally introduced men’s coach Mauricio Pochettino on Friday.
Ken Griffin
September 11, 2024

Hedge Fund Billionaire Ken Griffin Gets USMNT Pochettino Hire Across the Line

The federation said Griffin funded a “significant part” of the deal.
September 6, 2024

Federal Appeals Court Sides With Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss in Discrimination Suit

A three-judge panel upheld a February decision to dismiss a player’s lawsuit.
September 5, 2024

How the Chiefs Are Prepping for Year 2 of Taylor Swift Mania

The pop star is expected to attend more games this season.