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Sean Payton is stepping down as head coach of the New Orleans Saints.
The surprising announcement comes as rumors were swirling that Payton had not committed to returning to New Orleans next season. On Tuesday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Payton informed the team he is stepping away.
Sources: Sean Payton has informed the #Saints that he’s stepping away.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 25, 2022
FOX Sports insider Jay Glazer hinted over the weekend that Payton could step down and later expanded on that Monday during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas.
“Sean [Payton] changes his mind every two seconds,” Glazer said, as transcribed by John Hendrix of Saints News Network. “We talk about it a lot. It’s why I haven’t reported anything because he changes his mind like every two minutes.
“But that’s also why I said two weeks ago on FOX NFL Sunday during the coaching carousel was that there could be a coach or two step away just because of these last two years of COVID, it’s taken its toll on people.”
Now, the Saints will have to begin a search for their replacement, while you can expect rumors to fly regarding Payton’s next destination — if he decides to continue coaching.
