The Miami Dolphins wanted Sean Payton so badly this offseason that that they were apparently ready to offer him a record-setting contract.
According to the Sun Sentinel, the Miami Dolphins were ready to offer Payton a five-year deal worth $100 million to coach the franchise for the foreseeable future. Payton would have become just the second-ever NFL head coach to sign a deal worth at least $100 million if he had agreed to the offer.
When Jon Gruden got his $100 million contract with the Raiders in 2018, that was for 10 years, which means it was paying out $10 million per season. Payton’s deal would have paid him an astronomical sum of $20 million per year.
“Dolphins were ready to offer Sean Payton a mega-deal worth $100 million deal over 5-years to coach the team. It would have made it just the second known $100 million coaching contract after the #Raiders gave such contract to Jon Gruden [10-years, $100M],” said Dov Kleiman.
There has been speculation floating around all offseason that the Dolphins had a secret plan in place to land both Brady and Payton this year. And although both guys have been given the chance to shoot down the speculation, neither of them have really denied it.
“I’ve had a lot of conversations with a lot of people, as I’ve had for the past three or four years in my career, about different opportunities when I’m done playing football. I kind of made a decision of what I’d like to do,” Brady said. “I’ll get to be in the game of football. … The most important thing is where I’m at now and what I hope to do for this team. That’s been my commitment, to this team and this organization.”
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
Sean Payton also had a chance to shoot down the rumors back in April.
“I have no clue about the Tampa Bay, Miami Dolphins, Tom Brady rumor,” Payton said. “My understanding is that a request was put in or that intermediaries talked. I’m like the rest of you. I heard that story.”
Payton was NFL coach of the year for the 2006 season, when the Saints improved from 3-13 to 10-6. He guided the Saints to a Super Bowl win in the 2009 season.
As a head coach, Payton has a record of 139-84 and his teams have won six division titles.
