Sean Payton addresses openings, 'absolutely' would consider joining Texans

Sean Payton candidly addressed the head coach openings around the NFL this year Monday on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," saying he'll meet with the Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, and Carolina Panthers this week.

Payton - who's still under contract with the New Orleans Saints - is the most coveted head coaching candidate in the league this offseason. The Arizona Cardinals have also requested to interview him.

The 59-year-old said ownership stability and the quarterback situation are the most important things for him to decide on his next team.

"It starts with ownership," Payton said. "Generally speaking, if the quarterback is there, they're probably a team that's playing well. The teams that have openings - I'm not going to say are broken - but they've had problems, that's why there's an opening. So I think that element is critical."

He added: "It's hard to win in this league, and it's certainly harder to win in this league if there's internal problems before even playing an opponent."

Payton also said he'd "absolutely" consider coaching the Texans, who've had two different coaches in as many years and currently don't roster a franchise quarterback.

"I know (Houston's) ownership group," he said. "We practiced against the Texans in New Orleans four of five different times, so Cal McNair (and) his late father, we'd see them. So I don't know them well, but I know them."

He continued: "They've got really good draft capital. ... I think there's growth potential immediately there from two or three wins that they had this year."

Any team that hires Payton would need to compensate the Saints.

Houston - which finished 2022 with a 3-13-1 record - owns two top-12 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, including the second overall selection. Arizona is set to pick at No. 3 overall, while Carolina owns the ninth choice. Denver currently has the 29th overall selection, a pick acquired in a trade with the Miami Dolphins via the San Francisco 49ers, who're still in the playoffs.

"Ultimately, the compensation for the Saints would be a mid- or late-first-round pick," said Payton, who added he's already discussed a potential compensation with New Orleans general manager Mickey Loomis. "Each team has different ammo or different pick selections. It could be a future one where maybe you have to throw in something."

Payton posted a 152-89 regular-season record across 15 seasons with the Saints. He stepped down after the 2021 season with the 2006 Coach of the Year award and a Super Bowl ring under his belt.