[Quesadilla Joe]

Snippets from the Jeff Duncan article....

Spoiler!

All signs point to the Denver Broncos as the leader in the Sean Payton sweepstakes.

Given the fluidity of the situation and the number of moving parts involved, things could change on a whim, so take that into consideration while trying to handicap this race. But right now, the Broncos appear to be the frontrunners for the former New Orleans Saints head coach.

The courtship between the coach and Broncos has been strong from the start and could be nearing a resolution.

Sources said Payton has scheduled a second visit with the Broncos on Wednesday in Denver as team officials there conduct interviews with finalists this week.

....

Payton, who has cited "ownership and the functionality of the front office" as the most important factors in his search for a new team, met for several hours with Broncos officials last week in Los Angeles and was impressed by the presentation the group made to him, according to sources familiar with the situation.

...

At this point, all signs point to Denver, but there's always the chance Payton elects to return to his role as an NFL analyst at Fox Sports next season. Before the interview process began, he told Fox Sports colleague Michael Strahan that there was a 7 out of 10 chance that he would stay in his role at the network for 2023.

Tepper also could change the dynamic when he gets in front of Payton on Monday. The Panthers owner is reportedly looking to make a splash with his hire and landing a high-profile, Super Bowl-wining coach like Payton could certainly qualify.

But right now the Broncos look like the horse to beat in this race.

https://www.nola.com/sports/jeff-dun...ign=user-share