It wasn’t the cowboys who hired Sean Payton

Over the years there have been a number of stories that just wouldn’t go away as they related to the Dallas Cowboys. Surely the Cowboys would finally trade for Earl Thomas. Since they didn’t, it was only a matter of time before they brokered a deal for Jamal Adams. While those things didn’t materialize, Sean Payton was once coaching Bill Parcells’ staff at the Cowboys, and a reunion was inevitable. To the right?

For most of the past year, Sean Payton has been a non-stop talking point for all things Dallas Cowboys. If you were one of the few still hoping this would happen, well the fat lady sings her song.

The Denver Broncos are trading for former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton

When Sean Payton retired from the New Orleans Saints a year ago, it seemed inevitable that one day he would return to the NFL sidelines. Given his history with the Cowboys and how the Dallas front office spoke highly of him over and over again, it felt like the two could finally get together if fate had played out in the 2022 season.

But this past season, Mike McCarthy led the Cowboys to a 12-5 record for the second straight season, and in doing so his Cowboys became the first in 15 years to make the playoffs in consecutive seasons and the first to make double-digit games won in consecutive seasons in a quarter of a century. Simply put, McCarthy has earned his spot at The Star in Frisco for 2023.

Obviously there have been rotations with other NFL teams, and to stay on topic, for the second straight season that included the Denver Broncos. Though it was thought they might hire Dan Quinn, the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, this year, Quinn eventually returned to command the group led by Micah Parsons.

That left the Broncos without a skipper through Tuesday. They trade for Sean Payton and give up a lot to acquire him.

The Broncos sent several top draft picks to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for quarterback Russell Wilson a year ago, and that trade, um, didn’t work out.

Giving up premium resources for Sean Payton would have been bold for any NFL team, but it seems particularly so for the Broncos given their situation as a result of the Wilson trade. What’s more, they were reportedly involved with DeMeco Ryans but lost him to the Houston Texans as a head coaching candidate. If you believe this report, which other NFL insiders are trying to refute, then the Broncos didn’t give up a first and second pick for even their top pick.

Regarding the Cowboys, Sean Payton, who now has a job, is seemingly off the market, meaning we won’t have to hear about that story all season.

That’s a win.