Denver Broncos Emerge as Favorites to Land Sean Payton, Schedule 2nd Interview

The Denver Broncos are willing to do whatever it takes to bounce back from a disappointing 2022. According to nola.com's Jeff Duncan, the Broncos have booked a second interview with former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton and have emerged as the favorite to land the Super Bowl XLIV champion.

My column, with the news that Sean Payton has scheduled a second interview with the Broncos this week....

Jeff Duncan: Are the Denver Broncos the favorites to hire Sean Payton? It sure looks that way https://t.co/m2zDt896aC via @nolanews
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) January 23, 2023

The Broncos finished dead last in scoring in 2022 despite (or perhaps because of) the blockbuster acquisition of longtime Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during the offseason. The Broncos signed Wilson to a massive five-year, $245 million extension before he played a down for the team, so they have no choice but to try and do everything they can to maximize the nine-time Pro Bowler.

Which leads us to Payton. The veteran coach led the Saints to their most successful period in franchise history and is one of the most accomplished offensive coaches of all time, bringing his team 10 winning seasons, nine top-five scoring offenses, and a Super Bowl victory following the 2009 season. He also elevated quarterback Drew Brees to the upper echelons of quarterbacks in NFL history: Brees led the league in passing yards a record seven times and completion percentage six times.

Payton won't come cheap, but the Broncos are under new ownership and ready to make a splash. If they do land Payton, they'll be one of the teams to watch in 2023. Success could mean the Broncos are contenders for years to come. Failure could very well spell the end for Wilson as a franchise quarterback in the NFL.