As a result, New Orleans will find it virtually impossible to win the NFC South or clinch a playoff spot in the NFC. As if things couldn’t get any worse for Drew Brees and company this season, the NFL has voided the contract extension agreed upon by suspended head coach Sean Payton in 2011 according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com:
“Within the past year, the multiyear contract extension the Saints announced for Sean Payton in September 2011 was voided by the NFL, making the suspended head coach a free agent after this season and casting questions on how long he will remain in New Orleans, according to league sources.”
With Payton’s contract with the Saints officially null and void, the future of the one-time Super Bowl champion is uncertain to say the least. No one has ruled out a return to New Orleans for Payton, but speculation has begun to run rampant about Payton’s possible return to the Dallas Cowboys.
As of right now, head coach Jason Garrett is still under contract in Dallas. Garrett has two more years left on his current deal, but will likely be sent packing with after another disappointing outcome this season.
The Cowboys are currently sitting at 3-5 after the loss to the Falcons in Week 9. All signs are pointing to a fresh start next season in Dallas with hiring Payton possibly the first move made by owner/general manager Jerry Jones.
Obviously, this is all speculation at this point in time with half of a season left to go and anything possible from here on out. Payton will be a hot commodity in the off-season with many teams that will cut ties with head coaches looking to acquire his services.
