First reported by Fox Sports, and then confirmed by NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the New Orleans Saints look to be interested in mutually parting ways with head coach Sean Payton...and it should sound like an enticing deal to the St. Louis Rams.
From what I am told, the potential price placed by the #Saints on Sean Payton is a 2nd rounder… That's what it'll take to pry him.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 4, 2016
If you’ll remember, the Rams and Eagles made a trade in this most recent offseason -- one that swapped not only quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Nick Foles, but also 2015 and 2016 draft picks. As it stands, the Rams will have two second round picks: the 13th pick in the 2nd round would come via the Eagles, in addition to the 15th pick of their own.
That said, this Black Monday - like the three prior - doesn’t seem to be looming over the head of Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher. And if you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a million times, that part of the reason Jeff Fisher was brought to St. Louis for a potential move to Los Angeles. Regardless of whether or not that actually occurs, Fisher seems confident that he’s still the guy in 2016 and beyond.
But one has to wonder what Sean Payton might be able to do for this team, a team loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. Certainly, and minimally, one would have to believe he at least stands a chance at getting the team above .500...something Fisher was unable to do in his first four seasons with the team. In his nine years with the Saints, Payton coached them to a 87-57 record [.604], has led the team to five postseasons, and has won a Superbowl [2009]. And the Rams wouldn’t have to clean house in order to bring him aboard. As you’re well aware, he worked with Rams Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams from 2009-2011.
But would it be wise for the Rams to part ways with a draft pick, when they could use it to fill a roster spot with a future NFL star?
Let’s face it, there will be some very talented players that early in the 2nd round of the 2016 NFL Draft, but the Rams have proven that those picks don’t necessarily pan out. In 2012, the Rams selected both Brian Quick and Isaiah Pead. How’s that working out for them?
The odds of this trade actually occurring, I’d put somewhere between "slim" and "none"...with a heavy emphasis on none. And Fisher is slated to make [another] $7m in 2016. Through four seasons, Fisher has made $28m...which is more than $1m per win, considering he’s only won 27 games.
Would you pay Fisher off, trade a 2nd round pick, and get a new head coach for the St. Louis Rams?