Denver Broncos and Houston Texans They settled on the identity of their new head coach on Tuesday.
BREAKING: Saints and Broncos finalizing compensation for Super Bowl-winning HC Sean Payton, sources tell ESPN That clears the way for Payton to sign with the Broncos to become Denver’s next head coach.
So Payton is expected to move to Denver as its next high court. pic.twitter.com/HA4RAtE6P8
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 31, 2023
Sean Payton’s former team, the Broncos, have agreed to the compensation, ESPN reports New Orleans Saints, with whom he won the Super Bowl in the 2009 season. The deal reportedly includes the Broncos receiving Payton and the Saints’ 2024 third-round draft pick. New Orleans will receive Denver’s 2023 first-round pick (No. 30) and the Broncos’ 2024 second-round pick.
Meanwhile, The Houston Texans confirmed They have signed DiMeco Ryans as their new head coach. Ryans has earned widespread acclaim as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator.
The 38-year-old played for the Texans for six seasons after they selected him in the second round of the 2006 draft. As a linebacker on the team he won Defensive Player of the Year and was selected to two Pro Bowls. As a coach he distinguished himself as a defensive mind: the 49ers were the best under his leadership. NFL In points and yards allowed last season.
San Francisco was particularly effective against the run with Ryans defensive coordinator, holding teams to 77.7 yards per game, second in the league. That’s a stark contrast to Houston’s run defense, which ranks last in the NFL this season allowing 170.2 yards. The Texans haven’t had a winning season since 2019, but have the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft and Cleveland’s first-round picks in 2023 and 2024 after they traded Deshaun Watson to the Browns last year.
“For many reasons, DeMeco is everything we’ve been looking for in a leader and coach for our organization,” Texans owner Cal McNair said in a statement. “He has a proven track record of developing high-quality players and has continually innovated his defensive scheme over the past six seasons in San Francisco.
“We started this process with the goal of finding someone our fans and city could be proud of, and we’ve done that. While we’ve had incredible feedback and support from a variety of people, our discussions with him and his vision for our football team made him the perfect coach to lead us as we continue to evolve as an organization.
Ryans’ appointment is the first NFL team in Texans history to hire three consecutive black head coaches.
Payton would also inherit a struggling team when he took over as the Saints’ head coach in 2006. Along with future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, Payton led the Saints to the playoffs nine times and won the NFC South title. Seven occasions.
Payton was under contract with New Orleans after leaving the Saints last season and working in broadcasting this offseason.
The Broncos, who went 5-12 this season and extended their playoff drought to seven years, fired rookie coach Nathaniel Hackett in December after going 4-11. Interim coach Jerry Rosberg went 1-1.
Payton’s main task will be to get quarterback Russell Wilson back to winning ways after the 11-year pro had his worst statistical season following a blockbuster trade for four premium draft picks and three players from Seattle.
The Broncos traded their first and second round picks to the Seahawks for Wilson. They moved back into the first round by trading pass rusher Bradley Chubb to the Miami Dolphins, who sent the Broncos their first-rounder. San Francisco 49ers. That pick now belongs to the Saints.
