Report: Rams expected to ask to interview Payton; Saints open to trade
The Los Angeles Rams are expected to ask the New Orleans Saints permission to interview Sean Payton for their head coaching vacancy this week, Larry Holder of The Times-Picayune reports.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis is amenable to trading Payton, Holder reports. Loomis and Payton met after Sunday's game to discuss his immediate future with the team, ESPN's Mike Triplett reports.
The Rams fired Jeff Fisher on Dec. 12.
Payton declined to comment on the Rams' job when asked about any prospective interest.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees dismissed the notion of Payton joining the Rams.
"I mean, I have no reason to believe otherwise. Sean Payton's our head coach," Brees said. "And honestly, I don't know where you guys are getting this stuff. I guess there's speculation, whatever. I guess anybody can just write whatever they want, and all of a sudden, people think that it's fact or there's some truth to it.
"I think it's completely made up, to be honest with you. Coach Payton's our head coach, and that's that."
In 10 seasons with the Saints, Payton has compiled a 94-66 record. The head coach led the Saints to their lone Super Bowl victory in franchise history during the 2009 season.
Payton signed a five-year contract extension with the Saints in March 2016.