Former Saints coach Sean Payton predicts NFC South winner in 2022

The New Orleans Saints face a difficult challenge to win the NFC South, but they have the support of a very familiar face heading into the 2022 season.

Former Saints head coach Sean Payton stepped down from the franchise earlier this year and has since accepted a position with FOX Sports. The to-be media analyst recently spoke with Kay Adams on the "Up & Adams Show," and the conversation naturally shifted to the New Orleans Saints.

Do the Saints have a real shot at toppling the Buccaneers in the NFC South this season? Payton thinks so, and he revealed that his allegiances still lie with the black and gold.

"I think D.A. is extremely bright, he’s been a head coach. I think it’s a great situation he’s coming into. They’ve got a team I think that wins the South this year, not Tampa. I think defensively you’ll see one of the better defenses in our league this year."

- Sean Payton

Sean Payton predicts that the Saints will win NFC South in 2022

No one should be surprised that Payton is supporting his former team to succeed this season, and Payton isn't the only one high on the Saints.

NBC Sports columnist Peter King also predicted that not only would New Orleans would come out on top in the NFC South, but they would also earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Payton waxed poetic of the Saints' elite defense which lost several crucial pieces this offseason but ultimately regained their losses. Under new head coach Dennis Allen, the Saints enter a new era with quarterback Jameis Winston, and while losing a leader like Payton is a tough blow, Payton left the team in good hands.

In 2022, NOLA is projected to have a top-10 defense, at the very least. As long as Winston returns to his 2021 form and gets the Saints' passing offense going, the team should be a legitimate playoff contender this season.

We're sure Payton is as excited as we are to see the Saints thrive this year.