Reports indicate that Sean Payton could pick Cardinals
Former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton may have already picked his new team assuming that club will have him this winter.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport (h/t Nick Shook) reported Wednesday that the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans have requested permission to interview Payton.
The Saints hold Payton's rights through the 2024 season, but Rapoport noted the Cardinals, Texans, and Denver Broncos have already received permission to speak with the current Fox Sports analyst.
Additionally, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero tweeted that Payton is a "fan" of Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray. Following the firing of head coach Kliff Kingsbury, Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said Monday that Murray will have input in selecting Kingsbury's replacement.
Meanwhile, general manager Steve Keim took an indefinite leave of absence from the Cardinals due to health issues last month and won't be returning to that post.
For a piece published Wednesday morning, ESPN's Dan Graziano reported that "there's widespread belief Payton will want to bring his own personnel people with him, maybe even his own GM."
Arizona has the necessary openings in place and can also give Payton the opportunity to coach the quarterback selected with the first overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.
According to ESPN, Murray finished the 2022 regular season ranked 23rd among qualified quarterbacks with an 87.2 passer rating and 19th with a 52.1 total QBR.
In fewer than 11 finished games, the 25-year-old tossed 14 touchdown passes and seven interceptions, and he added three rushing scores.
Murray underwent successful ACL surgery that included some meniscus repair last week and is expected to miss the start of the 2023 campaign.
It's unclear when he'll be ready to again face live defenses, but there's little reason to believe his recovery would prevent Payton from relocating to Arizona as long as the Cardinals match the Saints' asking price for the coach's services.
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