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Saints Sign Coach Payton To 5-Year Contract

The New Orleans Saints have signed Head Coach Sean Payton to a five-year contract extension, the team announced today in a press release.

Payton, whose contract will reportedly pay him $8 million a season — making him the highest-paid coach in the league — has presided over the most successful run in the team’s history since being hired by the Saints in January of 2006.

“Sean has been a critical part of our success. Getting him signed to a long-term deal is very important to our organization and we are pleased to have it finalized,” Saints Executive Vice President and General Manager Mickey Loomis said in the release. “We have already begun the process of planning for the 2013 season, turning the page on 2012. We have challenges ahead, but they are nothing we cannot overcome. I know Sean is ready to get back to football in 2013.”

Payton sat out the entirety of this past season as a result of the bounty scandal that erupted in the offseason, sapping the team of not only their head coach, but the assistant coach, crucial defensive players and Loomis himself for much of the year.

Payton is slated to rejoin the team after this year’s Super Bowl. His contract must still be approved by the league.

The full text of the press release:

The New Orleans Saints have announced today that they have signed Head Coach Sean Payton to a five-year contract extension that will run through the 2017 season. “I am excited that we have finalized this contract with Sean,” said Saints Owner/Chairman of the Board Tom Benson. “He has been a great leader for our organization. He and Mickey (Loomis) have built a foundation of success as they have built the roster. We have already begun preparations for the 2013 season and I look forward to getting Sean back in the building as soon as possible, as I know our fans do as well.” Since first being hired by the Saints on January 18, 2006, Payton has presided over the most successful period in the franchise’s history, leading the Saints to three NFC South division titles and four postseason appearances. Two of his teams have advanced to the NFC Championship and the 2009 squad captured Super Bowl XLIV. “Sean has been a critical part of our success, getting him signed to a long-term deal is very important to our organization and we are pleased to have it finalized,” said Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis. “We have already begun the process of planning for the 2013 season, turning the page on 2012. We have challenges ahead, but they are nothing we cannot overcome. I know Sean is ready to get back to football in 2013.” Under Payton’s watch, the Saints have set 23 team single-season records, six of them also NFL marks. During this time, the New Orleans offense has led the league in net yards per game four times, including an NFL-record 7,474 in 2011. 13 players have been selected to the Pro Bowl during Payton’s tenure, six on multiple occasions.

Jason Saul served as WWNO's Director of Digital Services. In 2017 he took a position at BirdNote, in Seattle.