For years, Sean Payton has been a name that lingered in Jerry Jones‘ mind. Before becoming a Super Bowl-winning coach with the New Orleans Saints, Payton spent 2003 to 2005 in Dallas as Bill Parcells‘ assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach.
At the time, Jones saw his potential to one day lead the franchise. But circumstances never aligned.
In 2006, Payton accepted the head coaching role with New Orleans, building a resume that made him one of the NFL’s most respected leaders. Meanwhile, Jones stayed in Dallas, occasionally reflecting on the coach who slipped away.
The topic resurfaced as Dallas prepares to face Payton‘s Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS. On his weekly radio segment on 105.3 The Fan, Jones addressed whether he had ever considered Payton as the Cowboys’ head coach.
“Several times. It just never fit,” Jones said.
“He was never there when we needed to be thinking about making a change. The timing never fit. He’s certainly one of the better coaches that I’ve been around in my career. And we’ve always had a tremendous respect for his ability to coach a team in every respect.
“I thought before he ever was a head coach that it probably would happen here. Turned out he took that New Orleans job and the rest is history. There’s no coach that we think any more of, respect any more, than we do Sean Payton.”
Cowboys aim to test Payton’s Broncos
Nearly 20 years later, Jones and Payton face off again. The Broncos (5-2) have stabilized after an uneven start, entering Week 8 atop the AFC West following a late-game comeback against the New York Giants.
Dallas (4-3), under first-year coach Brian Schottenheimer, is trying to build consistency after a 44-point win against the Washington Commanders.
Schottenheimer, promoted from within, spent three years on the Cowboys’ staff, including two as offensive coordinator. While the offense has shown flashes of brilliance, facing Payton‘s Broncos will test the team’s ability to maintain control. Denver‘s knack for late comebacks poses a significant challenge for Dallas.
Sunday’s matchup is more than just a game-it’s a reunion between the coach who got away and the team he once almost led.
Read the full article here
