Senior Bowl Buzz: Texans DeMeco Ryans Hire Better Than Broncos’ Sean Payton?

Following a pair of coach moves made on Tuesday, many have the Houston Texans coming out on top with DeMeco Ryans over Sean Payton.

MOBILE, Ala. -- From the time the Houston Texans fired coach Lovie Smith, until Tuesday afternoon, we've been hearing DeMeco Ryans and Sean Payton as being two of the primary targets as his replacement. 

Many of the talking heads outside of Houston thought the top guy should've been Payton, which would have required a trade with the New Orleans Saints - and in the end, the Denver Broncos did that deal.

Regardless of outside opinion, though, it seems the Texans got their man ...

And as it turns out, not only did the Texans get their primary target, but maybe they got the Denver Broncos' No. 1 guy as well. 

With practice in full swing here at the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl, news spread quickly through the media stands and the NFL coaches and executive area that Payton had been dealt to Denver. 

But nothing in the NFL goes down without at least a modicum of drama, which here comes in the form of NFL Network reporting Payton was not the Broncos' first choice. 

Unbelievable: The #Broncos spent today trying to hire DeMeco Ryans AGAIN today before he recommitted to the #Texans, sources say. When he agreed to terms with the Texans, they moved and finalized Sean Payton.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 31, 2023

So the Broncos preferred Ryans over Payton? Meaning the Texans won?

It's the sort of success that doesn't count in any standings but certainly serves as a moral victory for the Texans and their fans. 

Payton was - supposedly - the crown jewel of this year's head coaching carousel. But after interviews, negotiations, and public debate - not one, but two NFL teams wanted Ryans first. 

And Ryans wanted Houston.

Meanwhile, the Broncos have now spent three first-rounders and multiple other assets to acquire quarterback Russell Wilson and coach Payton. 

Oh, and they spent or will spend a lot of money on the duo. 

We all knew Senior Bowl week would have a profound impact on the offseason and upcoming draft.  But who saw Houston being one of the big winners, while the Broncos were left to buy very expensive leftovers?

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