A former coach, not a player, could be the most sought-after NFL free agent in 2023.
Sean Payton, who stepped down at the end of the 2021 season following 16 years with the New Orleans Saints, has made it clear that he plans to return to coaching very soon. And the oddsmakers at Bookies.com have listed a struggling NFC club as the odds- on favorites to land Payton.
The Arizona Cardinals are the +250 favorites to land the former Saints head coach. They still employ Kliff Kingsbury as head coach, but the 43-year-old is reportedly pondering the idea of walking away after the season.
The Denver Broncos, who fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett following their Week 16 blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams, have the next best odds of landing Payton at +500. The Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys share the third best odds at +500.
In the offseason, the Cardinals handed Kingsbury a long-term extension through the 2027 season. But if Kingsbury ends up leaving the organization after this season, the front office will need to move quickly to find a replacement. And there is perhaps no better option than Payton himself.
