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The race for head coach Sean Payton is heating up and gaining more traction each day. The former New Orleans Saints head coach is eyeing a return to the field as a coach next season after taking a year away from football.
There are currently five head coaching vacancies (Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers) and Payton is the hottest candidate on the coaching market.
The first team to request an interview with Payton was the Denver Broncos. They also became the first team to get an in-person interview with Payton.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Denver and Payton will meet Tuesday morning in Los Angeles.
The Broncos fired Nathaniel Hackett a day after their Christmas Day loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He finished the season 4-11 as the starting head coach.
Quarterback Russell Wilson struggled in his first season with the team and could stand to benefit from a coach like Payton.
Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals all have permission to interview Sean Payton
The Denver Broncos aren't the only team interested in Payton.
The Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans were also granted access to interview him.
As things stand, the Cardinals are the favorites to land Payton.
Another team that could possibly go after Payton is the Los Angeles Chargers. There's a rumor floating around that if the Chargers lose Saturday night to the Jacksonville Jaguars, they could fire head coach Brandon Staley.
The Chargers could excel with Payton as their head coach mentoring a young Justin Herbert. Los Angeles has a well-rounded team and could be a contender with a coach of Payton's caliber and experience.
Regardless of what happens, Payton will have several options to weigh and the Saints have control of his rights, so they have a say in where they trade him to as well.
New Orleans is reportedly seeking at least one first-round pick for the rights to Payton.
