The Denver Broncos have made a major move. The team has awarded head coach Sean Payton with a massive extension to ensure he remains in the Mile High City.
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The team announced the news on Thursday afternoon with a press release highlighting Payton's impact on the team since taking over as head coach in 2023. This five-year extension keeps Payton with the team through the 2030 season.
"Sean Payton has led an impressive turnaround over the past three seasons, instilling a winning culture with high expectations," owner and CEO Sean Penner said.
"I appreciate the close partnership he shares with George Paton along with the alignment and stability across our football operations.
"We're thrilled for Sean to continue leading our team as head coach, building on our progress during such an exciting time for the Broncos."
Payton's first season leading the Broncos featured the team going 8-9 while relying on Russell Wilson and Jarrett Stidham as quarterback. The Broncos missed the playoffs after finishing second in the AFC West.
The second season showed glimpses of how this team could be a contender as rookie Bo Nix took over as quarterback. The Broncos went 10-7 and reached the playoffs.
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Last season, the Broncos won the AFC West and the AFC's No. 1 seed with a 14-3 record. They reached the AFC championship but lost to the Patriots as Nix sustained a broken ankle.
Prior to joining the Broncos, Payton spent 15 years as the head coach of the Saints (2006-2021). He guided this team to a 152-89 record and a 9-8 record in the playoffs. The Saints posted nine seasons with at least 11 wins during Payton's tenure as head coach.
The Saints won the Super Bowl in 2009 after winning the NFC's No. 1 seed and then defeating the AFC champion Colts.
However, this 2009 season later played a role in the NFL suspending Payton. This season marked one in which the Saints had allegedly placed bounties on opposing players. Defensive members of the Saints who knocked a targeted player out of a game earned a bonus.
The NFL suspended Payton for one season without pay (2012) and accused him of trying to cover up this "crush-for-cash" system.
The NFL also suspended GM Mickey Loomis for eight games and indefinitely suspended former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. The league fined the Saints $500,000 and took away two second-round draft picks.
Payton returned to the league in 2013, and he continued to coach the Saints. He remained in this position through the 2021 season when he ultimately decided to step away from football. One year later, he joined the Broncos.
