The Denver Broncos made a blockbuster trade with the New Orleans Saints to acquire the rights to hire Sean Payton. Now we know it was worth the high cost.
When the Denver Broncos send a first and second round pick to the New Orleans Saints to acquire the rights to hire Sean Payton as their next head coach in early 2023, many of us balked at the high cost given the team likely needed those high draft picks to rebuild after another double-digit loss season.
The first season was a little rough at times, but Payton still guided that team to an 9-8 record and the first time since the 2019 season. Then he navigated the departure of Russell Wilson and insane dead money that came with it to defy all the odds bringing the Broncos their first playoff appearance since the 2015 season.
Now we have proof positive that the hire was a huge win in both expected points and wins. Denver has posted one of the NFL’s best cover rates and points over market expectation.
The Broncos traded a first round pick for Sean Payton pic.twitter.com/5pCbZeuhCL
— Steven Patton (@PattonAnalytics) January 10, 2025
Given everything that has happened in Denver over the last eight seasons, I think we’re perfectly happy giving up those first and second round picks in hindsight. It’s just neat to see the data back that up now and then.
Hopefully he’ll lead this team to an upset victory tomorrow, as well.
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