As we approach the two-week mark of my annual NFL training camp tour, I have already visited 13 teams and there is no shortage of exciting storylines to cover. One of the most intriguing experiences belongs to Sean Payton, the head coach of the New Orleans Saints.
Before visiting the Denver Broncos camp, I discovered an interesting fact about Payton’s coaching career in the NFL. Despite spending over 26 seasons in the league, this is the first time he has been involved in drafting a quarterback in the first round. Payton has had the privilege of working with talented quarterbacks like Randall Cunningham, Rodney Peete, Bobby Hoying, Kerry Collins, Vinny Testaverde, Drew Bledsoe, and most notably, Drew Brees during his tenure with the Saints. However, starting fresh with a high draft pick QB like the one he has now is a new experience for the seasoned coach.
According to Payton, the main difference lies in the high expectations placed on a young player right from the beginning of his career. Fortunately, the rookie quarterback, whom Payton refers to as Nix, has his own set of high expectations and aspirations. Payton himself has even greater expectations for Nix than most of the NFL had back in April when he was drafted.
In fact, Payton disclosed to me that he had Nix and another quarterback ranked in the top tier of the draft class. “My evaluation of him was so much different compared to where I ranked the other quarterbacks,” Payton expressed. “We invested a significant amount of time evaluating all these guys. You have to trust your assessment and hope that you are in a position to draft the player you want. It’s not about where you select him, but rather where he will be in three years from now. Coaching a first-round pick is indeed different. The experience of taking someone at the 12th overall pick is distinct from when we acquired Brees from the Chargers. That was a relatively uneventful signing,” Payton elaborated.
As the NFL training camps progress, all eyes will be on Sean Payton and the young quarterback he has high hopes for. The journey from draft day to the gridiron is just beginning, and the expectations are sky-high for both coach and player alike.