Report: Sean Payton “fears power struggle” with one of Broncos owners

Jan 26, 2023, 1:13 PM | Updated: 4:49 pm

Denver Sports Analyst

Every twist and turn of the Broncos coaching search seems to get crazier.

And this one might be the wildest yet.

According to Mark Maske of The Washington Post, who has leaked other Sean Payton news, the former Saints coach may not be coming to Denver because of something he “fears.” And that’s a “potential power struggle” with one of the Broncos owners.

The Panthers are no longer an option for Sean Payton. And there was an issue with Payton's interview with the Broncos. Payton likes the idea of coaching Russell Wilson and having that defense but fears a potential power struggle with a member of the ownership group, source says.

— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) January 26, 2023

Hmm. There’s a lot to unpack there, but rather than speculate, let’s lay out the facts. We know Payton interviewed with CEO Greg Penner, part-owner Condoleezza Rice and GM George Paton. If he receives a second interview, that would be with majority owner Robson Walton and Greg’s wife, Carrie Walton-Penner. But that hasn’t happened and may never occur.

So, what does it all mean? Well if you take Maske’s tweet at face value, it means the power struggle Payton fears is with Penner or Rice. Those are the only two he met in the first interview — one in which Maske identifies an “issue” where something clearly went wrong.

This could all be a moot point, as 104.3 The Fan and 9NEWS insider Mike Klis is reporting 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is the “top candidate” for the job. But it could also explain where things went awry with Payton.

Stay tuned.

(Update 4:49 p.m.) –

Sean Payton has fired back and disputed this report.