SEAN PAYTON

Sean Payton's biggest challenge ahead with the fledgling Broncos? Fixing what ails quarterback Russell Wilson.

Five NFL teams will not have a first-round pick in this year's draft. The Saints were one of those teams, until Sean Payton agreed to become the Bronco's next head coach.

New Orleans got the No. 30 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft and a second-round pick next year for the rights to former head coach Sean Payton. It's a move they had to make.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — (AP) — The Denver Broncos have agreed to a deal with the New Orleans Saints that will make Sean Payton their head coach, a person with knowledge of the accord said Tuesday. The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the teams hadn't announced the agreement, said the Broncos would send their first-round pick, No. Payton remained under contract with New Orleans after stepping down from the Saints last season and working in broadcasting this season. The Broncos, who went 5-12 this season and extended their playoff drought to seven years, fired rookie coach Nathaniel Hackett on Dec. 26 after he went 4-11. The Broncos dealt their first- and second-round picks to the Seahawks for Wilson.

A person with knowledge of the pact tells The Associated Press that the Denver Broncos have agreed to a deal with the New Orleans Saints to hire Sean Payton as their head coach.

Sean Payton will become the next head coach of the Denver Broncos after the New Orleans Saints agreed to take a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick from Denver.

The Broncos fired Hackett, who was hired as the New York Jets' offensive coordinator this week, with two games left during his lone season as their head coach. The Texans planned to interview Ryans again next week, and Rapoport said "that may not align with Broncos timeline." On Friday, there was the report that seemed to indicate Ryans and the Texans was heating up. But it can't feel good for a once-proud franchise to struggle to land a head coach, especially with none of the other openings being that attractive. The Broncos still have plenty of time to find a great new head coach.

Despite a 12-5 regular-season, the Cowboys season ends in major disappointment. Again. Here’s who Jerry Jones should hire as head coach.

The Sean Payton interview tour will continue this week, this time with the Arizona Cardinals, according to multiple reports. This would be Payton's fourth interview this offseason after the former New Orleans Saints coach met with the Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans. The only team without a head coach Payton hasn't met with yet is the Indianapolis Colts. Arizona is an attractive landing spot for Payton because of the team's stability at quarterback and general manager. In the interim, though, Payton will have his choice of teams he'd be willing to coach next year.

There are five teams with a vacancy at head coach, and four of them have requested interviews with Payton. Let's include the Indianapolis Colts, the one team with an opening that hasn't requested to talk to Payton, and rank which job is best:5. Any team can turn things around with a good head coach and a couple good drafts. Also, the new ownership group has as much money as any in the NFL, so they can spend lavishly on a new head coach. Firing Hackett when the Broncos did, giving the team time to finish strong, made this opening look a lot better.

Lamar Jackson has been knocked by NFL cognoscenti from Day 1 and still has detractors despite his success. On the field, Lamar isn't Lamar without two good knees. On the Fox Sports' pregame show, Sean Payton was uncomfortably disparaging toward Jackson, telling the quarterback, "the team's more important than you." Lamar Jackson is not using an agent and it's hurting himA complicating factor in all of this is that Jackson doesn't have an agent. Not just because Jackson doesn't have an agent, but because Jackson is too online, and every cryptic message and public response to a troll has amateur sleuths trying to figure out what it "really" means.

Why the Jaguars aren't the same team K.C. beat in Week 10. Plus, insight on Sean Payton's interest in Houston and the Colts' HC search.

NFL coaching candidate Sean Payton revealed what the Saints are asking for in trade compensation, and what's appealing about the Texans opening.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson received some advice from former NFL great Michael Vick on Saturday ahead of the team's playoff game.

Apparently the Indianapolis Colts figure that if you have Jeff Saturday in your pocket, you don't need to talk to Sean Payton. The Carolina Panthers formally requested an interview with Sean Payton according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, making them the fourth team to ask the New Orleans Saints for permission. The Colts, who have interviewed other candidates but still haven't publicly ruled out making Saturday their permanent head coach, are the only team with an opening that hasn't requested an interview with Payton. Teams are lining up to interview him despite knowing that they'll need to give the Saints some trade compensation because Payton is still under contract with New Orleans. There aren't many candidates that have a Super Bowl ring and have a .631 winning percentage like Payton does.

Peter Schrager explains why Brock Purdy is his Offensive Rookie of the Year and what Sean Payton is deliberating as he considers coaching jobs. He also tells you about another very in-demand candidate.

Former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton continues to get a lot of attention around the league. The Cardinals received permission to speak with Payton, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The #AZCardinals have received permission to speak with #Saints coach Sean Payton, sources say, as they plot out their coaching search. pic.twitter.com/cucRHAwmJz — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2023The Texans requested permission to speak with Payton, per Peter Schrager of Fox Sports. The Houston Texans have also requested permission from the New Orleans Saints to speak with Sean Payton, per sources.

Arizona needs an aligned GM/coach tandem, with priority No. 1 being to get the best out of QB Kyler Murray when he's healthy again.

The NFL coaching carousel is turning. Here is a breakdown of coaching and general manager changes and corresponding interviews.

The Denver Broncos' search for a new head coach is officially underway a day after the 2022 season ended. That list includes former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans. Payton, Harbaugh lead candidate listPayton is undoubtedly the biggest name the Broncos have asked to speak with and he'll be a highly coveted head coach target this spring. Quinn actually interviewed for the Broncos head coach position in 2022 – as well as other open jobs – but eventually returned to the Cowboys for another year. He's seen a lot of success in his most recent job as the Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator since 2021.

Sean McVay will weigh whether he wants to continue coaching in 2023, per Jay Glazer, who said the Rams, Cardinals and Texans all might be looking for a new HC this offseason.

FOX studio analyst Sean Payton said he has spoken with the Broncos before detailing what he's looking for in a possible return to coaching.

The Denver Broncos have reportedly received permission to interview Sean Payton, who is still under contract with the Saints, for their head coaching job.

The Denver Broncos are swinging big in their search for a new head coach. The Broncos requested and received permission to interview former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Schefter included that the NFL ruled no team can conduct an in-person interview with Payton until January 17. Any team wanting to hire Payton would have to work out compensation with the Saints. Payton stepped away from the Saints after last season, but it was generally assumed that Payton would come back to coaching in a year or two.

Super Bowl winning coach, Sean Payton, told Fox News Digital that New York Jest quarterback Zach Wilson will have a chance to win the starting job again in the future.

Just months after Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury received extensions, Colin Cowherd believes one is the root cause for the Cardinals' fall.

Sean Payton resigned as head coach of the New Orleans Saints after last season, but he has his eyes on two teams if he were to return next season.

Not everything that has gone wrong with the New Orleans Saints this season has to do with Sean Payton being gone. But it's a mess for New Orleans in their first season without Payton, who stepped down after last season. The Saints' season isn't over but close. Saints fall to 2-5The Saints and Cardinals came into Thursday with matching 2-4 records. They had a chance to take a 14-3 lead but Dalton threw an interception into the end zone.

Former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton said that he would "definitely be interested" in coaching in the NFL if the right situation presented itself.

Wil Lutz kicked a 51-yard field goal with 19 seconds remaining to cap a stunning fourth-quarter comeback by the New Orleans Saints.

Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams will raise their Super Bowl banner Thursday night before kicking off the NFL season at home where they became the second straight team to hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy in their own stadium.

After one of the wildest offseasons in NFL history featuring blockbuster trades, rapid free-agency movement, record-setting contracts and plenty of off-field drama, the regular season is almost here.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston's return to practice this week has generated talk about his past as a two-sport college athlete.

The Miami Dolphins will forfeit a first-round selection in the 2023 NFL draft and a third-round selection in the 2024 draft.

The penalties mark the conclusion of the NFL's investigation into reports of tampering and intentionally losing games by the Dolphins.

The NFL has suspended Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and fined him $1.5 million for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton following a six-month investigation stemming from Brian Flores' racial discrimination lawsuit against the league. The Dolphins will forfeit a first-round selection in the 2023 NFL draft and a third-round selection in the 2024 draft. He may not be present at the team's facility and may not represent the club at any team or NFL event. He also may not attend any league meeting before the annual meeting in 2023, and he is removed from all league committees indefinitely. Dolphins vice chairman/limited partner Bruce Beal was fined $500,000 and may not attend any league meeting for the remainder of the year.

The NFL has suspended Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and fined him $1.5 million for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton following a six-month investigation stemming from Brian Flores’ racial discrimination lawsuit against the league.

The NFL finally handed down its sentence following a six-month-long investigation into the Miami Dolphins' alleged communications with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton this summer. The league announced the Dolphins must forfeit their first-round pick in the 2023 draft as well as their third-round pick in the 2024 draft. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross was also fined $1.5 million, suspended through Oct. 17, 2022 (the first six weeks of the season), indefinitely removed from all league committees and uninvited from all league meetings until next offseason. Vice Chairman Bruce Beal was also fined $500,000 and isn't allowed to attend any league meetings for the rest of the season. This story will be updated.

NFL: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints Jan 2, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton on the sidelines in the second half against the Carolina Panthers at the Caesars Superdome. He built a great thing alongside Drew Brees with the New Orleans Saints. All Cowboys jokes aside, Payton has been linked to interest in multiple teams, Dallas included. Payton, a former Cowboys assistant, has long been believed to be a target of Jerry Jones. McDaniel will make his debut as an NFL head coach in the fall.

J.R. Bishop, who built winning football programs at schools including Naperville Central High School and Wheaton College, coaching athletes including future Super Bowl winner Sean Payton, died at 84.

The New Orleans Saints have been relatively small players in free agency this offseason. “As an overall philosophy,” first-year head coach Dennis Allen said, “I’d rather augment our team through free agency and really build our team through the draft.” The Saints have made modest signings in free agency since Allen was promoted from defensive coordinator to replace long-time head coach Sean Payton in January.

ESPN is near the goal line of landing a top-tier talent to join the “Monday Night Football” booth.

Saints Allen Football New Orleans Saints new head coach Dennis Allen speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, in Metairie, La. — (AP) — Newly named New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen asserts that he's “at peace” with being constantly measured against the person he's replacing. “Look, I understand what the expectations are here,” Allen, a longtime Payton assistant, said at his introductory press conference Tuesday. "I was a 39-year-old head coach at that time. Allen left New Orleans in 2011 to become Denver's defensive coordinator before taking the Raiders job one season later.

Newly named New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen asserts that he’s “at peace” with being constantly measured against the person he’s replacing.

NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — The New Orleans Saints have promoted defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to head coach, two people familiar with the decision said Monday. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Saints have not announced their chosen replacement for Sean Payton, who resigned nearly two weeks ago after 16 years with the club. ESPN first reported the Saints' decision to promote from within after the club also had interviewed outside candidates, including former Miami coach Brian Flores, Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Kansas City offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. He left New Orleans in 2011 to become Denver's defensive coordinator before taking his first and only other head coaching position with Oakland Raiders in 2012. The Saints have ranked in the top seven in the NFL defensively during the past two seasons.

Two people familiar with the decision say the New Orleans Saints have promoted defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to head coach.

Saints Payton Resigns Football FILE - New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton speaks after an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Bill Feig, FIle) (Bill Feig)NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, whose 15-year tenure with the club included its only Super Bowl championship and also a one-season suspension stemming from the NFL’s bounty investigation, is leaving coaching. Including playoffs, Payton has a 161-97 record, by far the most victories of any Saints coach. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen stepped in as acting head coach for that game, which the Saints won 9-0 at Tampa Bay. Allen, a former head coach with the Oakland Raiders, has made no secret of his desire to be in charge again.

Saints Payton Resigns Football FILE - New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton speaks after an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Bill Feig, FIle) (Bill Feig)NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, whose 15-year tenure with the club included its only Super Bowl championship and also a one-season suspension stemming from the NFL’s bounty investigation, intends to retire from coaching. Payton leaves his first and only NFL head coaching job with a 152-89 regular-season record — and nine playoff appearances — in 15 seasons. The Saints made Payton a first-time head coach in 2006, when he oversaw a stunning turnaround in the franchise’s first season back in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans narrowly missed the playoffs this season, going 9-8 in its first campaign since the retirement of Drew Brees.

Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin is a cut above the rest of college football coaches on Twitter.

Saints Payton Resigns Football FILE - New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton speaks after an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Bill Feig, FIle) (Bill Feig)NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, whose 15-year tenure with the club included its only Super Bowl championship and also a one-season suspension stemming from the NFL’s bounty investigation, intends to retire from coaching. Payton leaves his first and only NFL head coaching job with a 152-89 regular-season record — and nine playoff appearances — in 15 seasons. The Saints made Payton a first-time head coach in 2006, when he oversaw a stunning turnaround in the franchise’s first season back in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans narrowly missed the playoffs this season, going 9-8 in its first campaign since the retirement of Drew Brees.

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, whose 16-year tenure with the club included its only Super Bowl championship and also a one-season suspension stemming from the NFL’s bounty investigation, is leaving coaching.

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton announces he's leaving File photo: Head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints on the sidelines before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)In a news conference Tuesday afternoon, head coach Sean Payton is expected to announce he is stepping away from the New Orleans Saints. While Payton didn’t say what he planned to do next, sources told ESPN that television networks have shown interest in hiring him. >> Read more trending newsPayton has been with the Saints for 16 years, joining the team at the franchise’s lowest point, after Hurricane Katrina and the 2005 season which ended 3-13 overall, WDSU reported. Payton leaves the Saints with an overall regular-season record of 152-89 and a postseason record of 9-8, which includes a Super Bowl victory and the 2006 AP Coach of the Year award, NFL.com reported.

Before the Saints hired Payton on Jan. 18, 2006, they had little football history of which to be proud. He helped turn that around. What do you think about his decision?

MOVIES— "Ice Age" hasn't quite lasted eons, but the animated franchise is now a decade old. This installment, the first released by Disney after taking over 20th Century Fox, centers on Simon Pegg's one-eyed weasel, Buck Wild, who was first introduced in "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs." The latest offering is: "Home Team," a new Sandler-produced sports comedy starring Kevin James as NFL head coach Sean Payton. — AP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSIC— Singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell, who won a Tony Award for the musical "Hadestown," returns to her own music with a new self-titled album, out Friday. The series debuts Tuesday on Syfy (with a USA simulcast for the premiere).

This week’s new entertainment releases include a new album from the legendary group The Temptations, the latest addition to the animated “Ice Age” franchise and a new series on HBO by “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes called “The Gilded Age” and starring Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Cynthia Nixon and Christine Baranski.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Ian Book says that because of the unpredictability of COVID-19, he and fellow reserve QB Trevor Siemian adopted the motto: “Stay ready.” Now, because of a COVID-19 outbreak infecting at least 15 Saints players and several coaches, Book is on the brink of seeing how ready he really is. The rookie out of Notre Dame took snaps at practice Friday as New Orleans' No. 1 QB and is slated to make his NFL regular-season debut as a starter against the Miami Dolphins in the Superdome on Monday night.

Despite playing without coach Sean Payton on the sideline, the Saints (7-7) beat the Bucs (10-4) for the seventh straight time during the regular season — fourth since Brady left New England for Tampa Bay in 2020. The victory gave New Orleans a sweep of the season series between the NFC South rivals and boosted the Saints into playoff position. It also forced Tampa Bay to wait at least one another week to clinch its first division crown since 2007. With defensive coordinator Dennis Allen standing in for Payton, who missed the game after testing positive for COVID-19, the Saints stymied the NFL’s No. ... WRs Chris Godwin (knee) and Mike Evans (hamstring) left in the second quarter, Godwin after taking a hard hit from Saints CB P.J.

New Orleans’ defense gave Tom Brady fits again, shutting down Tampa Bay’s high-powered offense as the Saints put the Buccaneers’ division title celebration plans on hold with a 9-0 victory over the reigning Super Bowl champions.

New Orleans’ defense gave Tom Brady fits again, shutting down Tampa Bay’s high-powered offense as the Saints put the Buccaneers’ division title celebration plans on hold with a 9-0 victory over the reigning Super Bowl champions.

The Las Vegas, Cleveland, Seattle, Los Angeles, Washington and Philadelphia teams were all affected.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (Alex Brandon)The NFL has moved three games because of COVID-19 outbreaks: Las Vegas at Cleveland from Saturday to Monday; and Seattle at the Los Angeles Rams and Washington at Philadelphia from Sunday to Tuesday. “We continue to make decisions in consultation with medical experts to ensure the health and safety of the NFL community.”Previously, the NFL did not plan to move any games because of coronavirus outbreaks. Earlier Friday, Saints coach Sean Payton tested positive for COVID-19 and was immediately isolated from the team. Payton’s positive test came as COVID-19 cases spiked across the NFL in recent days, mirroring trends seen in the general population. Payton was among the first NFL employees known to have contracted COVID-19 in the spring of 2020.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (Alex Brandon)The NFL has moved three games because of COVID-19 outbreaks: Las Vegas at Cleveland from Saturday to Monday; and Seattle at the Los Angeles Rams and Washington at Philadelphia from Sunday to Tuesday. Previously, the NFL did not plan to move any games because of coronavirus outbreaks. Earlier Friday, Saints coach Sean Payton tested positive for COVID-19 and was immediately isolated from the team. Payton’s positive test came as COVID-19 cases have spiked across the NFL in recent days, mirroring trends seen in the general population. Payton was among the first NFL employees known to have contracted COVID-19 in the spring of 2020.

Cowboys Washington Football Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Landover, Md. Earlier Friday, Saints coach Sean Payton tested positive for COVID-19 and was immediately isolated from the team. The Saints said defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has been assigned head coaching duties for this Sunday night’s game at Tampa Bay. Payton’s positive test came as COVID-19 cases have spiked across the NFL in recent days, mirroring trends seen in the general population. Payton was among the first NFL employees known to have contracted COVID-19 in the spring of 2020.

The NFL has moved three games because of COVID-19 outbreaks: Las Vegas at Cleveland from Saturday to Monday; and Seattle at the Los Angeles Rams and Washington at Philadelphia from Sunday to Tuesday.

NFL punters have been fading further from view as the go-for-it trend on fourth down continues to spread.

Matt Ryan hit Cordarrelle Patterson for a 64-yard gain with a minute to go, setting up Younghoe Koo’s 29-yard field goal as time expired, and the Atlanta Falcons defeated the mistake-prone New Orleans Saints 27-25.

New Orleans Saints two-time All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas says he won’t play this season because of complications related to ankle surgery last summer.

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Jameis Winston and Sam Darnold got hurt running the ball and kicker Chris Boswell was injured throwing it.

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The New Orleans Saints will have eight coaches unable to attend Sunday’s road game against the Panthers because of positive COVID-19 tests.

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton says the club has decided to continue practicing at TCU next week in preparation for their Week 3 game at New England before returning to their New Orleans-area headquarters in Week 4.

Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on top of the first AP Pro32 poll of the season.

Two people familiar with the situation say six unidentified members of the New Orleans Saints coaching staff, one player and another employee have tested positive for COVID-19.

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton says the team is investigating the possibility of remaining in the Dallas area for up to a month and opening its regular season against Green Bay in the Cowboys’ home stadium.

Don't expect the New Orleans Saints to cede bragging rights in the NFC South too easily.

The New Orleans Saints are at the home of another NFL team after being displaced by Hurricane Ida.

A person familiar with the decision says the Saints have selected Jameis Winston to succeed Drew Brees as starting quarterback for their regular season opener against Green Bay on Sept. 12.

The Saints don’t want the NFL’s renewed emphasis on punishing unsportsmanlike behavior to squelch C.

Saints veteran cornerback Patrick Robinson is retiring despite being a candidate for a starting job.

Jameis Winston says making better decisions with the football doesn't mean adopting a mentality that favors short throws.

History dictates that it’s likely at least a couple of the five first-round quarterbacks won’t fulfill the hopes of the teams that drafted them.

Patrick Surtain II and Mac Jones had the spotlight at Alabama's Pro Day, Tuesday, March 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)DeVonta Smith was there for quarterback Mac Jones once again, this time it was at Alabama's latest pro day. “He didn't have to do that,” Jones told the SEC Network, which aired the pro day. '”Jones showcased his arm strength a week after participating in the Crimson Tide's first pro day. “Mac was just on me like, ‘Bro, come catch, come catch, come catch,’” Smith told the network.

(AP Photo/Jason Behnken, File)NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Saints are bringing back quarterback Jameis Winston on a one-year contract. Brady led the Buccaneers to the franchise's second Super Bowl victory while Winston served as a backup for the NFC South Division champion Saints. Winston played only sparingly in his first season in New Orleans, even when Brees missed four games with rib and lung injuries. In all, Winston appeared in four regular season games for New Orleans, completing 7-of-11 passes for 75 yards. “One thing I’m really excited to learn — the most exciting thing — the way this quarterback room functions,” Winston said last April.

It marked the second straight season Brees had to miss part of a season with an injury after missing just one game because of injury in the previous 13. Saints coach Sean Payton said Brees had plenty of other injuries or ailments during his Saints tenure, but willed himself to play through them whenever possible. AdThe storm had forced the Saints to play all of their 2005 games outside New Orleans, and the Saints finished that season 3-13. That would be the first of nine seasons in which Brees led the Saints to the playoffs. Indeed, the hallmarks of Brees’ career have been his decision-making, timing and accuracy.

Two days after Brees' 42nd birthday, his 20th NFL season ended with statistically his worst playoff performance. “There are obviously so many incredible memories and so many incredible relationships that have come as a result of playing this game,” Brees continued. Absolutely.”Brees said the way this season ended “won't have anything to do” with his decision on whether to retire. “He’s been everything you could imagine a leader could be,” said Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan, Brees' teammate since 2011. “He’s a great teammate, a great leader, a great man, a great husband and a great father,” Davis added.

“My coaches were on board, they all did a great job with the spot, with the calls, everything — they were spot-on. It was a great job.”That play is part of a pick-6 of great jobs — and great flops — with gutsy calls. PHILLY SPECIALThe Eagles led New England by three points approaching halftime in the Super Bowl for the 2017 season. Philadelphia went on to win its first Super Bowl. The Packers then won their second Super Bowl.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) reacts after a touchdown by Alvin Kamara in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Chicago Bears in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)NEW ORLEANS – Drew Brees periodically discusses his long, extraordinary NFL journey in terms of fate and destiny. “Other than that, there’s not a lot of bad about” the Saints, Brady said. I think the quarterback-receiver relationship is really important.”Still, no defense has had more success against Brady this season than the Saints. The Saints gained 2,265 yards rushing during the regular season and added another 123 yards in their playoff opener against Chicago's formidable front.

Let’s start with:PAYTON’S PLANOn Christmas night, Saints running back Alvin Kamara tied a 91-year-old NFL record by rushing for six touchdowns in a 52-33 wipeout of the Minnesota Vikings. “I was thinking about our best play there,” Payton explained afterward. Payton wasn’t talking about Nevers’ record six TD runs. “A lot of these players — I’d say most of these players — have no idea how good Gale Sayers was,” said Payton. “It was a great moment.”Brees said Payton mentioned Sayers’ mark before the Saints’ last touchdown drive.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) breaks free past Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler (27), outside linebacker Eric Wilson (50) and defensive end D.J. He finished with a career-high 155 yards rushing to help New Orleans beat the Minnesota Vikings 52-33 on Friday and clinch a fourth straight NFC South title. He has since set Saints records for rushing TDs in a season with 16 and total TDs with 21 (he has five receiving). It would be 8-yard gain, 7-yard gain.”The Saints (11-4) never punted, and set a record of yards gained in a game by a Vikings opponent with 583. New Orleans' 264 yards rushing were the most by a Vikings opponent in Zimmer's seven seasons.

FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2020 file photo, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, right, speak with quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken, File)NEW ORLEANS – Saints record-setting quarterback Drew Brees “looked good” in his first practices since returning from rib fractures and a punctured lung, and is slated to start against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, coach Sean Payton said. Even before Brees' injury, Hill would intermittently take snaps under center to provide New Orleans' with a change-of-pace, read-option QB. Payton said Brees would be wearing a protective vest over his torso, but the coach dismissed the idea that the Saints were rushing the 41-year-old QB back from injury. “We wouldn’t be playing him if he wasn’t healthy and able to function and feeling good and recovered,” Payton said.

(AP Photo/Butch Dill)NEW ORLEANS – Drew Brees has been diagnosed with multiple rib fractures and a collapsed right lung, a person with knowledge of the situation said Monday. Brees' injuries, which were first reported by ESPN, are expected to sideline the quarterback for multiple weeks. Saints coach Sean Payton said Monday he would not comment on any injuries before the first required injury report of this week on Wednesday. Street got a clean shot on Brees, de-cleated the quarterback and came down hard on the right side of Brees' torso. “In my humble opinion, saw really one flagrant hit worthy of personal foul and that was the hit on Tre'Quan,” Payton said.

The Bears’ Cairo Santos made a 51-yard field goal at the end of regulation to force the extra period. He came through with his fourth field goal on a windy day, sending the Bears (5-3) to their second straight loss. “My gut, we’re on the field and I feel like we can kick a field goal at that distance without risking any ball-security issues,” Payton said. Marshon Lattimore then intercepted Nick Foles, leading to a tiebreaking field goal by Lutz. After the Saints went three-and-out, Chicago tied it with 13 seconds left on Santos’ field goal into the wind.

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden celebrates after defeating the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)The NFL is threatening teams with possible suspensions for sideline personnel, including coaches, who do not properly wear face coverings during the pandemic. In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, Troy Vincent, who oversees NFL football operations, told the 32 teams Wednesday that “accountability” is required on the sidelines. But there still have been more instances of coaches and sideline personnel either wearing the masks or gaiters improperly or basically using them as scarves rather than as protective gear. Selective or inconsistent compliance threatens to undermine fan confidence in our health and safety protocols and the competitive fairness and integrity of the NFL season.”___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden celebrates after defeating the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)LAS VEGAS – Two more NFL head coaches and their teams have been fined for not wearing masks on the sideline. A person with knowledge of the punishment said Tuesday that Jon Gruden of the Raiders and Sean Payton of the Saints were each fined $100,000 for not wearing masks on the sideline on Monday night. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the league wasn’t announcing specific fines, said the teams were also fined $250,000 for the infractions. NFL Network and ESPN first reported the fines for Gruden and Payton.

(AP Photo/Don Wright)NFL coaches thumbed their collective — and exposed — noses at the NFL’s mask mandate in Week 2. More coaches and clubs can expect similar punishments as the memo last week from Troy Vincent, who oversees the league’s football operations, was largely ignored throughout the weekend. Players, who, like the coaches, are subject to daily COVID-19 tests, are exempt from the face covering requirements. Some coaches such as Belichick, McDaniels and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin wore their masks or gaiters over their mouths but not noses. Others such as Carroll, Spagnuolo and Fangio wore their face coverings around their chins or necks, exposing both their mouths and noses.

(AP Photo/Don Wright)A person with knowledge of the punishment tells The Associated Press that at least three NFL head coaches have been fined $100,000 for violating the league’s rules that they wear face coverings on the sideline. More fines could be coming as several other coaches violated the league's rules requiring coaches to wear coverings over their mouths and noses at all times. Gruden wore his face mask like a chin strap and Payton wore his gaiter like a turtleneck. The punishments come a week after the NFL warned all 32 teams in a memo about following the rules for wearing face coverings during the coronavirus pandemic lest they put the NFL season at risk. ___Follow Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arniestapleton___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

FILE - In this May 22, 2019, file photo, Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president, speaks to the media during the owners meetings in Key Biscayne, Fla. The NFL will consult an advisory committee made up of former coaches, general managers and players on such issues as postponing, moving or even canceling games this season due to the coronavirus pandemic. Vincent said Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020 that the advisers, who will report to Commissioner Roger Goodell, will help avoid any inequities in those decisions. Vincent did not identify any members of the panel, saying he was awaiting their approval to do so. Dr. Allen Sills, the league's chief medical officer, noted that setting firm schedules for anything during the pandemic is foolhardy.

PHILADELPHIA Eagles coach Doug Pederson says he feels great and has no symptoms after testing positive for the coronavirus. Im very fortunate.The 52-year-old Pederson enters his fifth season as Philadelphias head coach. I think one of the things Ive learned this offseason is, I can still run the team virtually, Pederson said. The list is for players who either test positive or have been exposed to someone who has. Pederson is the second NFL head coach known to test positive.

NEW ORLEANS Saints coach Sean Payton prefers not to use the term training camp to describe how hes trying to prepare his club for this pandemic-altered NFL season. So, were going to approach it differently, Payton said Wednesday, noting that one big change would be more scrimmaging and other live scenarios during practices. You have to, at some point, play football if youre getting ready to play a football game.The Saints have a history of finding undrafted rookie free agents who become regular contributors. The Saints went 13-3 that season and set an NFL record for offensive yards in a season with 7,474. Players wont be in pads until Aug. 17, Payton said, but added, well be in full pads every day that were allowed.