Jul 28, 2026, 1:57 PM CUT

"Sat there and cried": Sean Payton recalled emotional Saints exit

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 04: Denver Head Coach, Sean Payton on the sidelines during a game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on January 04, 2026. Photo by Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 04 Chargers at Broncos EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon202601013

When Sean Payton stepped down as the New Orleans Saints head coach in January 2022, he did not just leave a football team; he left behind a family. Payton spent 16 years building the Saints into a powerhouse, culminating in a Super Bowl XLIV victory in 2010.

Speaking on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Payton opened up about his deep bond with Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis, calling him one of his best friends. Breaking the news of his departure to Loomis was what made Payton cry.

"We just sat there and cried for about a half an hour," Payton recalled. "We were together for 16 years, and we just laughed, and then we golfed that afternoon."

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 25: Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High on January 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 25 AFC Championship Game Patriots at Broncos EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon132260125414

Payton explained in The Herd with Colin Cowherd podcast (YouTube) that while they spent 16 years making big decisions. Their only "fights" were over hilarious everyday things like weight room signs, cafeteria models, or the quality of fan giveaways.

"I would get upset because you couldn't wave them—they were like washcloths!" Payton joked about the game-day towels. "I said, 'Is today the day of the terrible tissue?'"

Stepping away from New Orleans meant missing those daily conversations, shared laughs, and deep relationships.

Payton left the New Orleans Saints in January 2022 primarily due to professional burnout and a desire to step away from the grueling daily grind of NFL coaching.

After taking a break from coaching, Payton worked as an analyst at Fox before joining the Denver Broncos in 2023.

Sean Payton ranked among the top NFL coaches

Pro Football Focus named its top 10 NFL head coaches heading into the 2026 season. Famous coaches like Sean McVay and Andy Reid took the top spots, while Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton landed at No. 8 overall.

Payton is known for building winning team cultures and making his players better. He previously won a Super Bowl in New Orleans and has kept up his winning habits in Denver.

"In three years out west, Payton has also compiled a 32-19 record and has augmented his win total in every campaign,” Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus wrote. “Culminating in a 14-3 mark in 2025".

Payton recalls him and Loomis building trust through humor and shared values, not conflict.

Although Denver's offense still has room to improve, Payton built a solid foundation. Locker wrote that Payton deserves praise for assembling the sport’s highest-graded offensive line and helping Bo Nix continue to grow.

What are your thoughts on the Denver Broncos led by Sean Payton? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Aaindri Thakuri

Edited by

Rudra Dubey