New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton stepping away after 16 years with franchise

METAIRIE, La. — Sean Payton has decided to step away as the New Orleans Saints' coach after 16 years.

He totaled 15 seasons as the New Orleans coach because he was suspended in 2012 as a result of the NFL's bounty investigation.

Payton began his news conference Tuesday by thanking Saints owner Gayle Benson and her late husband, former Saints owner Tom Benson. Payton presented Benson with king cake — a traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras dessert — saying it was his version of TV character Ted Lasso's biscuit tradition.

Payton said he was glad Benson told him to spend some time away from the team for the past couple weeks before he made his decision, «Because it is a big decision that affects a lot of people.»

When Payton arrived in New Orleans in 2006, the Saints had the third-worst win percentage in the NFL from 1967 to 2005 with one playoff win. But Payton turned the franchise around, highlighted by leading the franchise to its only Super Bowl victory in 2009.

Payton said he doesn't like the word «retirement» and said he can't rule out a return to coaching in the future. But «that's not where my heart is right now.»

«I don't know what's next,» added Payton, who said he has seen the reports that he has talked with TV or media outlets — but that isn't true. Payton said he has even asked his agent, Don Yee, if he has heard anything differently. But Payton did acknowledge that media is something he thinks he could be interested in.

Payton, 58, has three years remaining on his deal with the Saints after signing his latest extension in 2019. So, New Orleans would maintain his rights if he decides to return to coaching — and could require compensation if he wants to coach for another team.

In the meantime, the Saints will enter