Another opening will take place in the NFL's coaching carousel.
Sean Peyton announced at a news conference Tuesday that he was stepping away from the New Orleans Saints, but did not rule out a future return to coaching, or even a television analyst role.
"As I sit here today, and it's okay, I don't know what's next," Peyton said. "I read the reports, and I understand, but I haven't spoken to anyone from a media outlet regarding doing television or radio. Maybe that opportunity comes. ... I think I'd like to do that." I think I'll be great at it. It's okay to step outside in cold weather today and be a little uncomfortable, either professionally or from a career standpoint.
"I don't like the word retirement. ... I still have a vision for doing things in football. And to be honest with you, it could be coaching again at some point. I don't think it will be this year." I may think in the future, but my heart isn't there right now. It's not like that at all."
Payton remains under contract with the Saints until 2024. If Peyton wants to return to coach another team before then, the organization will have to provide compensation to New Orleans to facilitate the deal.
Asked later about the timing of the announcement, Payton said: "I don't plan to coach in 2022. I feel the same way."
Peyton spent much of his opening remarks thanking Saints owner Gail Benson, her late husband, Tom, general manager Mickey Loomis, several players, and the city of New Orleans.
NFL Network first reported Peyton's departure.
It comes a day after Benson said he had not heard from Peyton about his plans for the future.
At his news conference — and for the "Ted Lasso" show — Peyton gave Benson a box with a mini king cake to thank him.
Peyton said it was Benson who suggested Peyton take some time off the facility to think about his future.
The Saints are coming off a difficult season in which they were still in playoff contention until the final week of the season. New Orleans (9-8) lost quarterback Jameis Winston to a significant knee injury in late October and dealt with a COVID-19 outbreak that forced Payton to shuffle around his players and assistant coaches.
Payton said that after going to training camp this season, he suspected it might be time for him to walk away.
"I thought the timing was right for me," Peyton said. "That's something I was thinking about. ... Not many people get a chance to choose their terms. I saw it as an opportunity to see my kids more, travel more, get in better shape." saw."
Payton tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time in December and missed the team's win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15.
Peyton confirmed on Tuesday that he reached out to quarterback Drew Brees, who retired last season, about returning to play for the Saints ahead of his Week 16 game against the Dolphins, when New Orleans had to deal with their COVID-19. -19 issues were encountered. Peyton said Monday night he spoke to Breeze, who is currently an analyst with NBC, to ask for advice on how to handle the news conference.
"I think we both agreed, based on our lineup versus Miami, it was a good thing that he stayed (with NBC) and didn't come," Peyton said.
Peyton, 58, was hired in 2006, and stood as head coach in the NFL with the second longest tenure (16 years) behind Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots (22 years).
Peyton compiled a 152–89 (.631) record in that period, including a win against the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl 44 after the 2009 season.
Despite being with the team for 16 years, Peyton coached 15 seasons as he was suspended throughout the 2012 season for his role in the infamous bounty scandal in which the NFL found he tried to cover up a cash reward system. which allegedly targeted key players when they protested. Team.
Peyton returned the following season to lead the Saints to an 11–5 record and a playoff berth.
He is credited with transforming a Saints franchise that was mired in disqualification and never won the title. The season before Peyton's arrival, the Saints went 3–13 and finished last in their division. In Peyton's first season, New Orleans posted a seven-win improvement and won the NFC South, which earned him the 2006 AP Coach of the Year award.
Of the 13 seasons prior to Peyton's arrival, the Saints posted only one double-digit winning season in 2000. In the 15 seasons under Peyton's coaching, New Orleans recorded nine such campaigns.
The Saints ranked in the top five in scoring offenses in the NFL in 10 of Peyton's 15 seasons.
Perhaps his enduring achievement in New Orleans, however, is Peyton's success in the playoffs. In its 55 years as an NFL franchise, New Orleans has recorded 10 playoff victories. Peyton was the coach for nine of them.
The Saints boast a defense that ranks fourth in the NFL in scoring (19.7 points per game allowed) and returns several dynamic playmates on offense. Pay-cap issues, however, could indicate further changes for the franchise this off-season, as New Orleans currently exceeds next year's limit by $74 million, according to overthecap.com.
"They talked all the time about leaving a place where you might have been better off to begin with," Peyton recalled of his late parents. "I think we've done it. It's not finished. We have all these coaches sitting here with contracts and Mickey leading it to continue. We're not writing an obituary today. . It's a step. It's just another direction."