METAIRIE, La. (WGNO) – Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said chatter about head coach Sean Payton moving on to another NFL team, was just that. And, had no substance.
“I never had discussions with another team about Sean,” Loomis said to reporters in a discussion that lasted close to an hour at the club’s Metairie facility Thursday afternoon.
Loomis said the Monday after the regular season ended, he and Payton met like they always do. And, he said that Payton told Loomis he wanted to stay in New Orleans.
“He said, I want to be here,” said Loomis of Payton.
Loomis said a contract extension for Payton is certainly up for discussion.
“Sean is a great head coach,” said Loomis. “Look at his record.”
Loomis said in the next few weeks, Saints personnel will be evaluated. And, a decision will be made as to whether Drew Brees will play out the final year of his contract, or be offered an extension.
“Drew is going to be our quarterback,” said Loomis
Brees’ salary cap number for next season is $30 million.
Loomis said there will be no change in the structure of the Saints front office. And, that he and Payton “come to a mutual conclusion” on all personnel decisions.
Last July, the Saints cut outside linebacker Junior Galette. Galette was later signed by the Washington Redskins. Galette has ranted several times about the Saints on twitter.
I asked Loomis if he thought hard about offering Galette a lucrative contract extension?
“Not hard enough,” said Loomis. He refused to elaborate. Galette counts $12.1 million in dead money toward the Saints 2016 cap.
Loomis said it is too early to evaluate the 2015 draft, but thought this year’s class “did a lot of good things.”
Loomis said the Saints feel good about their team moving forward.
