Broncos HC Sean Payton ready for New Orleans return on 'TNF'

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton isn't expecting Saints fans to applaud him when he returns to New Orleans on "Thursday Night Football." 

"I don't think there's going to be a lot of flowers and warm fuzzies for yours truly, and I get it," Payton said in his Monday news conference, via Mike Klis of KUSA-TV in Denver. 

Payton served as Saints head coach from 2006-21, winning one Super Bowl and seven NFC South titles. Before his arrival, the Saints only had one playoff victory and seven winning seasons in 39 years.  

More importantly, Payton's Saints gave New Orleans an emotional uplift following Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. 

"But Super Bowl XLIV wasn't just the greatest moment in many long-suffering Saints fans' lives," The Times-Picayune wrote in January 2017. "It was a critical point in the city's post-Katrina renaissance. Payton restored a battered city's swagger."  

While Payton helped the city overcome the tragedy, Saints fans are probably upset at him for leaving the franchise. After his one-year hiatus, the Saints traded him to the Broncos in January 2023.  

Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees — who starred under Payton for 15 seasons in New Orleans — will also be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame during a halftime ceremony at the game. Brees' induction could fire up an impassioned New Orleans crowd even more.  

Payton indicated he's downplaying the storylines to prevent them from distracting his players. 

"But I think still it's about the game and the win and the significance of us playing our best football on a short week, and it's about our team," Payton said. "I'll address that with them tomorrow morning. Let's understand the significance of getting our fourth win. That's the No. 1 thing. And then go from there."

This seems like a smart strategy for Payton and Co. The Broncos must stay concentrated to earn a pivotal victory. As of Monday, ESPN Analytics gives Denver (3-3) a 51.7 percent chance to beat New Orleans (2-4).