Tom Brady and Sean Payton together with the Washington Commanders? That’s an idea that former NFL head coach-turned-ESPN analyst Rex Ryan brought up.
Appearing on ESPN’s NFL Countdown, Ryan drummed up the wild scenario that would place Brady and Payton in Washington under a new owner.
“I’m telling ya, watch the Washington Commanders in this. Here’s why I say it could happen. There’s a strong possibility that there’s going to be a change in ownership. And when that happens, these owners aren’t tied into that coach. And to me, I can see a Sean Payton, Tom Brady. We talk about Miami, well it wasn’t just Miami contacting Brady, it was Sean Payton, it was going to be that marriage of those two. So, I could possibly see that down the road if he doesn’t sign with the Raiders immediately. I could see this as a possibility.”
Ryan referenced the Brady and Payton ordeal with the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins expressed interest in the two as a package deal in 2019. Miami’s owner Stephen Ross made contact with the two on multiple occasions, according to an NFL investigation into the Dolphins’ violating the league’s anti-tampering policy.
Ross got suspended and fined $1.5 million by the league. Meanwhile, the Dolphins lost two draft picks, including a 2023 first-rounder. Those penalties are for the Dolphins contacting Brady and Payton while they were under contract with the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints, respectively.
Fast forward to 2022. Payton opted to sit out the season as a coach after 15 seasons with the Saints. Instead, he did analyst work with FOX’s coverage of the NFL.
Brady just completed his third season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 45-year-old could be looking for a new NFL home. Rumors have linked Brady and Payton wanting to pair together for some time. The two almost hooked up with the Saints.
Many cards have to fall in place soon for the Washington Commanders to land Payton and Brady.
First, the Commanders already have a head coach, Ron Rivera. Rivera expects to enter his fourth season with Washington. There is no indication against the notion. He just fired his offensive coordinator and is currently searching to replace Scott Turner.
If Rivera was to be fired, it would have been done already. Dan Snyder is still the Commanders’ owner. While the team could be sold this year, a potential sale is not imminent.
A new owner must be in place before Payton is hired by another NFL team and Brady’s free agency starts. That owner also has to want Sean Payton and Tom Brady.
Payton is being courted by other teams and free agency starts in March. Time is running thin for Ryan’s notion to happen for the 2023 season.
