Cardinals favorites to land ex-Saints coach Payton

Former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton. Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals favorites to land ex-Saints coach Sean Payton

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 12/31/22

Former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton is the hottest name on the coaching free agent market, and he’s sure to have his pick of team’s vying for his services.

Bookies.com released its odds for which team Payton will ultimately land with, and the Arizona Cardinals are listed as the favorite to win the Payton sweepstakes at +250 odds with an implied probability of 28.6%.

“The Cardinals showed improvement in each of Kliff Kingsbury's first three seasons; Arizona went from 5-10-1 to 8-8 to 11-6 and a playoff berth in 2021,” Bookies.com writer Adam Thompson said. “The wheels have come off in 2022, however. The Cards are 4-11, eliminated from the postseason, and Kyler Murray has seemingly regressed. Injuries happened, but such a plummet has Kingsbury firmly on the hottest of seats with the season winding down.”

Obviously Sean Payton is a top dog. My understanding right now is Payton has a high affinity for the Chargers & Cowboys, w/t Cardinals being a consideration too, if jobs become available. When Denver calls, I expect him to listen, though he historically prefers strong link to GM.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) December 26, 2022

The Denver Broncos have the second-best odds at +400 (implied probability of 20%), and the Los Angeles Chargers have the third-best odds at +500 (implied probability of 16.7%).

Both the Cardinals and Chargers still have their current head coaches under contract, while the Chargers have clinched a playoff berth.

Payton, 59, compiled a 152-89 record over 15 seasons with the Saints including nine playoff appearances, seven NFC South titles, three appearances in the NFC Championship game, and a Super Bowl championship.

He won 10 or more games in nine seasons, and he had just four losing seasons.

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