NFL Trade Verdict
New Orleans Saints Win
Denver sent premium draft compensation to New Orleans for the right to hire Sean Payton. Payton gave the Broncos a proven coach to reset the program, but New Orleans converted a coach's contractual rights into first- and second-round value.
Denver Broncos Received
- pick Sean Payton and 2024 3rd round pick (81st overall subsequently traded, Christian Haynes )
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 2023 1st round pick (29th overall, Bryan Bresee )
- pick 2024 2nd round pick (45th overall subsequently traded, Edgerrin Cooper )
Trade Analysis
Coach compensation trades are harder to grade than player trades because Denver's return is leadership rather than direct on-field production. Still, New Orleans received major draft value for a coach no longer working for the franchise, so the Saints keep the stronger grade.