ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 9: Head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on January 9, 2022. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) photograph)
The Carolina Panthers’ interview with Sean Payton, which was scheduled for Friday, is now reportedly on hold.
There are good reasons for being late. A group of Panthers executives who were interviewing in New York after the death of Charlotte FC defender Anton Walkes returned home Thursday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported.
“The group was scheduled to interview Sean Payton on Friday, which has now been put on hold as owner David Tepper is spending time supporting grieving players.” Rapoport tweeted.
Walks, 25, died early Thursday morning after being involved in a boating accident in Florida Wednesday afternoon.
Obviously, interviewing Peyton is a top priority for Tepper and the Panthers, but salutes to the 65-year-old owner for recognizing that there are more pressing issues at this time.
Payton has already been interviewed by the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos this week. The Arizona Cardinals also received permission to interview the former New Orleans Saints head coach, who is under contract through 2024.
The Saints are reportedly seeking a package that includes two first-round picks as compensation for another team that hires Payton.
