Details on how the Broncos landed Sean Payton
The Denver Broncos have their new head coach. Yes, really, the search and saga is officially over. It sounds like they got one of their top choices, too, regardless of what some folks may have said over the past couple of weeks. Former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton is the new head coach […]
The Denver Broncos have their new head coach. Yes, really, the search and saga is officially over. It sounds like they got one of their top choices, too, regardless of what some folks may have said over the past couple of weeks.
Former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton is the new head coach of the Denver Broncos.
Accordingly, there is plenty of hype surrounding the potential that this hire brings with it.
Payton is a proven winner with the Saints, and he's one of the most well-respective offensive minds in the entire NFL. He is most likely a future hall of fame coach, and a strong tenure with the Broncos would cement that legacy.
How did Denver land on Payton as their guy, though?
The process had plenty of mystery as the Broncos stayed tight-lipped throughout the entire timeline.
That being said, Sean Payton was one of their top targets alongside Jim Harbaugh and DeMeco Ryans. The Broncos interviewed eight initial candidates, and those three were deemed the finalists.
With Ryans heading to the Houston Texans and Harbaugh staying at Michigan, Payton made the most sense. They didn't settle – as all three candidates were highly-regarded by the front office.
It was clear from the beginning that the Broncos' ownership valued experience and leadership after the Nathaniel Hackett hire did not work out this past season.
Payton fits that bill after fifteen seasons in New Orleans, winning a Super Bowl in that tenure.
ESPN's Jeff Legwold discussed the hiring process for Payton.
Broncos owner and CEO Greg Penner laid out a convincing explanation for why someone like Payton makes sense for Denver.
"Obviously, the X's and O's are important, but we need a strong leader for this organization that's focused on winning,'' Penner said after Hackett was fired. "That starts with culture. It's instilling a sense of accountability and discipline. We need an identity on offense. At the starting point, it has to be about culture and leadership. Those characteristics are what we'll be focused on the most.''
It's a good sign for Broncos fans that Penner and the front office chose to make a quick decision on Hackett. That led them to a situation where they were able to make a deal for one of the top offensive minds of this generation in the NFL.
The hiring also proves that the Broncos are serious about getting back into contention right now. They believe that they have an elite defense. They do.
Denver also clearly thinks that Payton is the right coach whose experience can get the Broncos offense back on track.
Featured Image via USA TODAY-Sports
