{"id":188046,"date":"2023-01-16T10:45:04","date_gmt":"2023-01-16T10:45:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/sean-payton-going-to-the-panthers-would-lead-to-bad-blood-but-a-better-trade-return\/"},"modified":"2023-01-16T10:45:04","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T10:45:04","slug":"sean-payton-going-to-the-panthers-would-lead-to-bad-blood-but-a-better-trade-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/sean-payton-going-to-the-panthers-would-lead-to-bad-blood-but-a-better-trade-return\/","title":{"rendered":"Sean Payton going to the Panthers would lead to bad blood, but a better trade return"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Now that’s one way to send the New Orleans Saints fanbase into an uproar. The Saints greenlit an interview request from the Carolina Panthers for former head coach Sean Payton, who is still under contract with New Orleans through 2024 after stepping down from his post last year. The Panthers have been meeting with head coach candidates throughout the week after interim coach Steve Wilks led them to a 7-10 finish, having dismissed Matt Rhule midway through the 2022 season.<\/p>\n

Now Payton is on the radar of an NFC South rival and he could soon be coaching against the Saints twice each year. He still needs to actually meet with Carolina and see what owner David Tepper is willing to offer him, and it would take a lot for him to willingly enter such a fraught situation \u2014 but if Tepper is willing to pay him $15 to $20 million a year and give him personnel control, well, that’s a tough offer to walk away from.<\/p>\n

But this would definitely lead to bad blood within an established rivalry. The Saints have a narrow 29-28 lead over the Panthers in their series history. While it isn’t as spirited a feud as New Orleans enjoys with the Atlanta Falcons, there’s real passion and vitriol here. Having the greatest coach in franchise history leading a direct competitor would sure add fuel to that fire.<\/p>\n

Trading Payton to Carolina would also bring a stronger return to the Saints. A division rival is going to be taxed more heavily than a team in another NFC division, or one hailing from the AFC. While New Orleans hasn’t worked out specific compensation with any team interviewing Payton in the days ahead, general manager Mickey Loomis has said that part of the process in approving those interviews is reaching a general understanding of what is needed to acquire Payton. And that price changes for each team based on their unique circumstances and available trade assets.<\/p>\n

Remember, players can’t be involved in coach trades. Teams can only exchange draft picks and cash. And the Panthers could do more to drive up the price than any other team thanks to their stockpile of draft assets. They own selections in the 2023 draft including the ninth overall pick in the first round, a pair of second rounders, a third rounder, and two fourth-round selections. They also have their full allotment of picks in 2024 with a couple of more late-round picks thrown in for good measure.<\/p>\n