Page 12 - Florida Sentinel 1-28-22

Sean Payton Informs Saints He’s Stepping Down
Jaguars Finalize Deal To Make Byron Leftwich Head Coach
It looks like one of the nine head coach vacancies is filled.
According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, the Jaguars are finalizing a deal with Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich to become the team’s new head coach.
Leftwich had a second interview with the Jaguars on Tuesday after the Bucs were eliminated from the postseason by the Rams on Sunday.
Should the two sides land the plane, it would represent a homecoming of sorts for Leftwich. Jacksonville selected Leftwich with the No. 7 overall pick back in 2003. He started 44 games in four years for the fran- chise, compiling a 24-20 record while throwing for 9,042 yards with 51 touch- downs and 36 interceptions.
Leftwich’s No. 1 charge will be to de- velop 2021 first overall pick, quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
BYRON LEFTWICH
With no vacancies yet filled, there’s now another opening in the NFL.
According to multiple re- ports, Sean Payton in- formed the Saints on Tuesday that he’s stepping down as the team’s head coach.
Payton, 58, has been with the Saints since 2006, winning Super Bowl XLIV over the Colts. He compiled a 152-89 record in the regu- lar season and a 9-8 record in the postseason.
Reports emerged on Sun- day that Payton had not committed to coaching the team in 2022. Owner Gayle Benson admitted she was uncertain about Payton’s future on Monday. And an earlier Tuesday report indi- cated that Payton had spo- ken with G.M. Mickey Loomis for “a couple of hours” on Monday.
SEAN PAYTON
Now the Saints’ head coach has decided to step down.
While New Orleans could be a potential landing spot for several candidates, one in-house successor could be defensive coordinator Den- nis Allen. He has drawn some interest from the Bears this month.
More Sports
PAGE 12-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 2022