Broncos take first step in Sean Payton chase, but it comes with a catch

The Denver Broncos have received permission to interview former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, but they’ll have to wait a bit.

The Broncos are considered one of the frontrunners to land Sean Payton — a Super Bowl winner who previously coached the New Orleans Saints — but they’ll have plenty of competition.

If multiple teams do interview Payton, the Saints may have a role to play, and could receive compensation from whichever franchise he opts to take his coaching talents to. For now, New Orleans does not appear interested themselves, as Dennis Allen is the man in charge.

Per Adam Schefter, Denver has taken the first step towards hiring Payton. The Broncos requested and received permission to interview Payton from New Orleans and the NFL. However, they’ll have to wait at least 10 days to do so.

Broncos can interview Sean Payton, but with a catch

Denver, like any team that decides to interview Sean Payton, will likely be pitching him on their franchise, rather than the other way around. Payton has earned enough respect around NFL circles to have the right to choose his team. As a Super Bowl winner and this biggest name involved in this head coaching cycle, it’s a deserved chance.

Payton took a hiatus from coaching last offseason, and the Saints obliged. Both sides needed a fresh start, and Payton will get his right away.

The 10-day waiting period cannot be ideal for Denver, as Payton will be the primary focus of their coaching search. They fired Hackett some time ago, and Black Monday is only a few days away. One would expect other interested teams to get in line behind the Broncos for Payton, thus eliminating any advantage Denver may have in filing said request first.