Head coach Sean Payton agrees to five-year extension with Saints

Head coach Sean Payton announced he has agreed to a five-year contract extension with the New Orleans Saints. The team confirmed via Twitter.

Talks about a possible Sean Payton extension began to emerge at the NFL Scouting Combine after it was reported he and the New Orleans Saints were close to finalizing a new deal.

Payton, the most winning head coach in Saints history, is now contracted through the 2020 season, he told reporters during breakfast at the annual owners meeting in Boca Raton, Florida Wednesday morning.

Sean Payton, whose future in New Orleans was considered by many uncertain a few months ago, said he was carrying his new contract in his briefcase this morning.

During a press conference in early January, Payton, who was the center of speculation at the time, announced that he would be staying with the Saints, saying he doesn’t ever plan on coaching anywhere else.

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“I’ve said this before, and I understand the interest and certainly the skepticism if you will, but this is where I plan on coaching and I don’t envision myself ever coaching for any other club,” Sean Payton said.

“This is where I want to be. I mean you’re here not because we are here long enough, but we built something and created something. I think in the beginning it was a lot more than football, and maybe that is what separates it, because it wasn’t just about wins and losses in 2006.”

On Wednesday, Sean Payton also said talks are ongoing about a contract extension with Drew Brees, something the fans are desperately waiting for.  The move would not only clear salary cap space, but it would likely guarantee Brees finishes his career in New Orleans.  In an interview with WWL on Tuesday, Payton said they’re trying to work out a deal with Brees that would be fair for both sides.

As for Payton, he’ll be trying to get his team back in the winning category for the first time since 2013.  The Saints have turned in three losing seasons (all 7-9) in the last four years.  His new deal is reportedly worth over $45 million.