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New Orleans Saints: Teams That Could Trade for Sean Payton

By Erik Lambert

Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The New Orleans Saints have looked like a team that’s been ready for a legitimate rebuild the past couple seasons based on how their roster looks.

Part of the reason they’ve held off was belief that some minor tweaks might give them one last shot at a championship with their beloved tandem of quarterback Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton. Now with the team slipping towards another year out of the playoffs, rumors are circulating that the for Super Bowl-winning could be on his way to a new home. According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, New Orleans is seriously considering the option of trading him.

"“A year after the Colts considered acquiring Saints coach Sean Payton, and a year after Payton signed a lucrative extension in New Orleans, a change of scenery is still possible.League sources said the Saints — adrift in another lost season and with veteran quarterback Drew Brees spiraling in recent weeks — would consider moving the coach should there be suitors, and it would not likely require hefty trade compensation.”"

It’s still not clear which teams will be in the hunt for a new head coach. Still, based on the rumors circulating here are three that may end up paying the modest price to land 52-year old.

Indianapolis Colts

Despite what owner Jim Irsay might say, the Indianapolis Colts must be considering a change at head coach. Chuck Pagano is in danger of missing the playoffs for the second-straight season. This time he won’t have the excuse of Andrew Luck not being on the field. The team just hasn’t shown signs of getting better, and fears are rampant they are wasting the prime years of an All-Pro quarterback. Indy was rumored to have interest in Payton last year. Combining him with Luck makes way too much sense.

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Jacksonville Jaguars

Payton has endured a pretty rough roster in New Orleans the past few years, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Having Drew Brees covered that up. Taking over the Jacksonville Jaguars would give him a young cast of talent across the board. He’d have a defense that is improving every day. All he’d have to do is get Blake Bortles straightened out. Given the receiving weapons in that offense, it shouldn’t prove too difficult.

Chicago Bears

If any team might be willing to make that leap, it will be the Chicago Bears. For a number of reasons. John Fox has gone 9-20 in his two seasons. The Bears are reportedly set to seek out their next quarterback and could be hunting for a coach who can develop one, which Payton can. Then there is the fact GM Ryan Pace worked with him in New Orleans from 2006 to 2014 as part of the Saints scouting department and front office. They know each other well. To top it off? Payton went to high school and college in Illinois and played quarterback for the Bears in 1987.

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