Sean Payton’s emotional homecoming in New Orleans

Tonight’s game at Caesars Superdome will be a bittersweet return for former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton. It is the first time since his resignation in January 2022 that the current coach of the Denver Broncos has appeared as an opponent. On Monday, Payton acknowledged the emotions that come with returning to where he built a Super Bowl-winning team.

“It’s going to be unique,” ​​Payton said of his return to New Orleans. “Certainly there will be emotions among the players, but I think that happens quite often in our league. With the players and in this case certainly with the time I spent there, I understand that. We have to deal with it. “With the crowd noise, it’s loud there and you know that. Luckily it’s only a short week because I haven’t had a chance to deal with all the other things yet. His anticipation for the game was palpable and added a certain amount of intrigue to the game ahead.

Despite his significant contributions to the Saints, Payton humbly admitted that he doesn’t expect to receive a very warm reception. “I don’t think there will be a lot of flowers and warm cuddly toys for you, and I understand that,” he said, understanding fans’ mixed feelings.

Even though Payton was the winningest coach in team history with 152 wins, won Coach of the Year honors in 2006 and helped the franchise to its only Super Bowl victory in 2010, many fans still have a sour taste in their mouths because of Payton’s quick departure “Retired” to join the Broncos at the start of the 2023 season. Some felt cheated that after 16 seasons as the Saints’ coach and just one year off from coaching, he felt the need to return and coach another team.

No one can deny his impact on this organization and fan base during his tenure. He is considered one of the best offensive players in the world and he has proven that year after year in New Orleans.

According to research from the Elias Sports Bureau, Payton and the Saints rank first in NFL history in average points scored (27.6 per game) and yards gained (391.2 per game) among all coaching-staff combinations with at least five seasons.

He and Drew Brees developed one of the league’s best offenses for over a decade. In the 38 years prior to Payton’s arrival in New Orleans, the Saints had only five double-digit win seasons in franchise history.

Under Payton, that number was nine, including a playoff mark of 9-8. New Orleans had won just one playoff game in the 38 years before he came on board.

Now the Saints will face Payton as an opponent for the first time since his departure. New Orleans desperately needs a win after losing its fourth straight game on Sunday.

Given how many wins Payton has conjured up in the Superdome, the Saints are confident they can hand him a loss on Thursday to turn their season around.