NEW ORLEANS — Sean Payton is the betting favorite to become the next Denver Broncos head coach. Payton could interview with the Broncos for the second time sometime this week, according to multiple sources.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport tweeted, "The Broncos have concluded the first round of their HC interview process, and owner and CEO Greg Penner is now narrowing the impressive pool. The next step is to schedule second interviews, and while none is firmly set, the hope is to finalize a schedule in the coming days."
Payton will meet with Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper on Monday. He's already interviewed with the Houston Texans, and he will interview with the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday.
He's long been linked to the Dallas Cowboys. Jerry Jones was asked whether their playoff loss changed anything in his mind with head coach Mike McCarthy. Jones said, "No. No, not at all."
Here are the Sean Payton next team odds from oddsmaker Adam Thompson of bookies.com:
- Denver Broncos +225 (Implied Probability 30.8%)
- Arizona Cardinals +300 (Implied Probability 25%)
- Houston Texans +500 (Implied Probability 16.7%)
- Carolina Panthers +550 (Implied Probability 15.4%)
- Tampa Buccaneers +700 (Implied Probability 12.5%)
- Los Angeles Chargers +1200 (Implied Probability 7.7%)
- Indianapolis Colts +1500 (Implied Probability 6.3%)
- The Field +2000 (Implied Probability 4.8%)
Payton said last week during an interview with Colin Cowherd that he and Mickey Loomis discussed the manner of compensation and that it may be in the realm of a "mid-to-late first-round pick."
Here are the 2023 draft picks for the four teams favored to land Payton:
Arizona Cardinals
- Round 1, Pick 3
- Round 2, Pick 35
- Round 3, Pick 67
- Round 4, Pick 105
- Round 6, Pick 179
Carolina Panthers
- Round 1, Pick 9 overall
- Round 2, Pick 39 overall
- Round 2, Pick 60 overall (from SF)
- Round 3, Pick 92 overall (from SF)
- Round 4, Pick 111 overall
- Round 4, Pick 128 overall (from SF)
- Round 5, Pick 142 overall
- Round 7, Pick 225 overall (from BUF)
Denver Broncos
- Round 1, Pick 29 (from MIA via SF)
- Round 3, Pick 68 (from IND)
- Round 3, Pick 69
- Round 4, Pick 108
- Round 5, Pick 140
- Round 6, Pick 194 (from PIT)
- Round 7, Pick 247 (from MIN)
Houston Texans
- Round 1, Pick 2 overall
- Round 1, Pick 12 overall (from CLE)
- Round 2, Pick 33 overall
- Round 3, Pick 65 overall
- Round 3, Pick 73 overall (from CLE)
- Round 4, Pick 101 overall
- Round 5, Pick 133 overall
- Round 6, Pick 174 overall
- Round 6, Pick 186 overall
- Round 6, Pick 191 overall
- Round 6, Pick 192 overall
- Round 7, Pick 215 overall
Payton said that ownership and quarterback are very important to his choice but acknowledged that teams with openings may be lacking in those areas.
Payton says this wouldn't rule out the Texans as a possibility, citing familiarity with the ownership group due to joint practices and the team's draft capital and young roster. The Texans will most likely draft a quarterback in the 2023 draft.
The Broncos are one of the few Payton suitors that know who their starting quarterback will be at the start of next season. In his first year in Denver, Russell Wilson had the worst year of his career. Wilson reportedly reached out to Payton and wants him as a coach.
The Panthers could also draft a quarterback, but Sam Darnold went 4-2 as the starter after being named the team's starter in week 12.
Former No.1 pick Kyler Murray is the Arizona Cardinals' franchise quarterback, but he may miss the first few games next year after tearing his ACL in December. Murray had successful surgery earlier this month.
Sean Payton could pass on all the jobs and return to FOX Sports as an analyst.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.