Broncos Reportedly Trading for Sean Payton; Cardinals Out of the Running

The Arizona Cardinals are now officially out of the running for Sean Payton after the Denver Broncos reportedly traded for him on Tuesday.

The Sean Payton-to-Arizona hype train is no longer churning. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter broke news that the Denver Broncos were finalizing a deal to make Sean Payton their next 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. pic.twitter.com/HA4RAtE6P8

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 31, 2023

According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, the New Orleans Saints will receive this year's first-round pick and an early draft pick next season in exchange for Payton's services. He was under contract with New Orleans for two more years. 

The #Broncos will send a first-round pick in 2023 and early pick next year, sources say. The deal has been agreed to. https://t.co/Lw9O9MQV0k

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 31, 2023

Payton reportedly wants $20 million annually to coach again, something the Broncos were ultimately ready to handle.

The Cardinals recently interviewed Payton on Thursday and things did not progress any further past then. Arizona - still on the hook for Kingsbury's salary - may have wanted to shy away from the cost to both obtain Payton from New Orleans and keep him with his salary. 

An look at Arizona's head coaching search:

INTERVIEWED - Frank Reich, Dan Quinn, Sean Payton, Aaron Glenn, Brian Flores, Ejiro Evero, Vance Joseph

INTERVIEW REQUESTED - DeMeco Ryans,

INTERVIEW SCHEDULED - Mike Kafka, Brian Callahan, Lou Anarumo

REPORTEDLY INTERESTED - Jonathan Gannon

Ryans is being hired by the Texans, Reich was hired by the Panthers, Quinn is returning to Dallas for another season and now Payton is off to Denver. 

Kafka is scheduled to interview today with Anarumo and Callahan following the next two days. 

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