Underhill and Trip on on Payton returning

Nick- I’ll believe it when I see it. Doesn’t see why he’d come back. Probably be some other more appealing spots. Also notes that Duncan story doesn’t just come nowhere, someone wanted it out so he doesn’t totally dismiss it.

Trip- Could be Saints trying to posture as another potential suitor to drive up price. Was not a bitter divorce, Payton was not trying to force way to Miami, was truly burnt out. Saints would absolutely take him back. It’s not a wildly far fetched idea, but would still call it a Hail Mary in likelihood.

Nick- Duncan story came from a Sean Payton source, not Saints. Payton source could be drumming up interest to make Saints look like a legit option. It is a bad look for Dennis Allen, who is a close friend of Payton, so it could be legit interest to return otherwise it’s reckless to harm a close friend.

Trip- Speculated about Payton getting wind of Allen being fired no matter what. Doesn’t think he’d create the situation to get Allen fired. Still thinks it’s >50% that Allen returns, but if he doesn’t only 5% Payton does.

Nick- In 2015, Payton’s sources said he wanted to go to the Colts and he did in fact want to go to the Colts. Was offered $18-19 million/year by the Saints at the end of the season.

Trip- Saints even offered 1 year sabbatical.

Both agree you take Payton back over a first round pick, not even debatable, even if it’s a top 3 pick.

Nick- if he does come back, you write into the contract the compensation for another team, like Mike Holmgren had done.