Sean Payton's return to New Orleans announced in 2024 schedule leak

Sean Payton's return to New Orleans will kick off Week 7 of the 2024 NFL season.

Nola.com's Jeff Duncan reported on Wednesday afternoon that the Saints will host the Broncos in prime time in what should be an electric atmosphere at the Superdome.

Payton was the Saints head coach from 2006-2021, winning the Super Bowl in 2009 and leading New Orleans to four consecutive division titles from 2017-20. 

He left the organization one year after quarterback Drew Brees' retirement and with three years remaining on his contract.

The Saints traded him to the Broncos last offseason along with a 2024 third-round pick (No. 78 overall) for a 2023 first- and 2024 second-round pick (Nos. 29 and 45 overall).

Both Payton and his successor in New Orleans, Dennis Allen, could enter Week 7 with a lot to prove. Payton ran quarterback Russell Wilson out of Denver and drafted Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Allen, who served as Payton's defensive coordinator from 2016-21 in New Orleans, is 16-18 in two seasons as Saints head coach and is looking to snap the franchise's three-year postseason drought.

Earlier in the day, the Saints' season-opener, a home game against the Carolina Panthers, was announced. Their opponent for Week 3 was also leaked. Per The Inquirer's Jeff McLane, the Saints host the Eagles in the third week of the regular season.

The full 2024 NFL schedule for all 32 teams will be released later Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network and ESPN2.