Report: Broncos Finalizing a Deal With Saints for Sean Payton

Hot off the presses, the Denver Broncos are maneuvering.

And just like that, all the speculation and hand-wringing surrounding the Denver Broncos have evaporated as Adam Schefter has reported a massive, blockbuster move. 

Per Schefter, the Broncos are set to acquire Sean Payton's rights from the New Orleans Saints to make him the team's new head coach. 

"Breaking: Saints and Broncos are finalizing compensation in return for Super Bowl-winning HC Sean Payton, sources tell ESPN. This clears the way for Payton to sign with the Broncos to become Denver’s next head coach. And so Payton is expected to head to Denver as its next HC," Schefter tweeted on Tuesday. 

Breaking: Saints and Broncos are finalizing compensation in return for Super Bowl-winning HC Sean Payton, sources tell ESPN. This clears the way for Payton to sign with the Broncos to become Denver’s next head coach.

And so Payton is expected to head to Denver as its next HC. pic.twitter.com/HA4RAtE6P8

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 31, 2023

As Broncos Country agonizes over what it must cost the team to acquire Payton from New Orleans, Schefter provides further information and it's honestly not that bad. 

"Compensation: Denver’s 2023 first-round pick and next year’s second-round pick for Sean Payton and the Saints’ 2024 third," Schefter tweeted. 

Compensation: Denver’s 2023 first-round pick and next year’s second-round pick for Sean Payton and the Saints’ 2024 third.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 31, 2023

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The Broncos went into the 2022 NFL season without a 2023 first-round pick as a result of the Russell Wilson trade. And the team knew that at season's end, it wouldn't be able retain both Bradley Chubb and Dre'Mont Jones, so the former was dealt away in exchange for that 2023 first-rounder that'll go to New Orleans. 

So, the Broncos parlayed the Chubb trade, in essence, into landing Payton, one of the most coveted head-coaching candidates of this hiring cycle and former Super Bowl-winning coach. 

Wilson must be smiling ear to ear. We'll update this article as further info becomes available. 

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