Sean Payton reveals the real reason he retired

New Orleans Saints ex-coach Sean Payton likely won’t coach in the 2022 season, and he recently told people why he really retired from football.

It has to do with “Home Team,” the Netflix movie that delves into Payton’s life after the Bountygate scandal.

Payton and the actor who plays him in the movie, Kevin James, apparently made a retirement pact together. Payton would retire to increase press for the movie, which was released at the end of January, and Kevin James would retire so that Payton would never have to see him act again.

Watch Payton and James’ full interaction below:

New Orleans Saints ex-coach Sean Payton jokes that he retired to increase press for his Netflix movie

All jokes aside, Sean Payton deserves to take a break after leading the Saints through an exhausting 2021 season.

The Saints are currently considering several options for the vacant head coaching position including Dennis Allen, Brian Flores, and Eric Bieniemy.

This offseason, there’s a good chance the team will focus on improving its roster, as opposed to a complete rebuild, to field a playoff-contending team next season. In Payton’s absence, plenty of issues will need to be addressed by whoever ends up taking the helm of the Saints organization. Quarterback and wide receiver remain two of the neediest positions if the Saints want to get their offense back on track.

Sean Payton may be gone for now, but the team should find itself in good hands in 2022.