Sean Payton won’t be on the sideline for Sunday’s matchup against the defending champs. The Saints announced that their head coach has tested positive for Covid-19. ‘
[RELATED: This Date In Transactions History: Saints Extend HC Sean Payton]
Per league protocols, Payton will be out for 10 days unless he meets the requirements for a fully vaccinated individual to return to his team. At the very least, Payton won’t be coaching against the Buccaneers this weekend.
Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen will assume the duties of head coach for Sunday’s showdown, according to the team. Allen was the head coach of the Raiders for two-plus seasons from 2012 to 2014. He collected an 8-24 record during his first two seasons at the helm, and an 0-4 start to the 2014 campaign led to his firing.
New Orleans is currently sitting with a 6-7 record and is struggling to remain in the postseason picture. The team already had their hands full against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, but that task will be made even tougher without Payton on the sideline.
Shouldn’t they delay the game? It seems like some teams are going to get an advantage with these changes (get key players back) while it negatively impacts others who must play shorthanded. The opposing teams also suffer, having to play their next game on a shortened schedule. I think they’re opening a hornet’s nest of issues by picking which teams get a delay.
if you think this is a matter of competitive advantage or disadvantage you’re simpky missing the point.
It’s about fairness. Many teams played with missing players this year, including QBs, but the NFL didn’t postpone for them. Changing the rules in the late season is only something Goodell would do. Teams can forfeit if their players are concerned.
They’ll continue to move games around to fill out the whole network tv week. Started out as a Sunday league, then Monday night football came around, now it seems it’s on every day of the week.
I believe this is the 2nd time for Payton. He had it before when it first came out.
Dude just snortin Covid at this point
Oof. From Sean Payton to Dennis Allen? That’s quite the difference, especially with as tumultuous as the Saints’ QB situation has been this year. If New Orleans manages somehow to win this game, however, I could see Dennis Allen getting more play in the upcoming interview cycles. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend him (I am a fan on the couch, of course) as a HC, but I think the Saints’ defensive work the last few years may be enough for teams to temporarily put aside his previous disastrous run as a coach in Oakland. Of course, that’s just my personal opinion.
Drew Brees is no longer around to endorse Payton when the coaches contract comes up for renewal (as was always the case in the past) so you have to wonder how much longer the Saints will stick with Sean…especially if the current struggles continue.