Sean Payton informs Saints he is stepping away as head coach

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted Tuesday that Saints head coach Sean Payton has informed the team he is stepping away after fifteen seasons.

Sources: Sean Payton has informed the #Saints that he’s stepping away.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 25, 2022

Payton, 58, took over as Saints head coach in 2006, immediately turning around a team from a 3-win season in 2005 to an appearance in the NFC Championship Game in his first season.  Three years later, Payton led the Saints to a Super Bowl victory in SB XLIV over Peyton Manning and the Colts.

The Saints went 9-8 this season, just missing a final Wild Card berth in the NFC.