Giants coaching search: Sean Payton to stay in New Orleans

If Sean Payton was ever a realistic candidate to be the next head coach of the New York Giants, he isn't any more.

Payton finally says "this is where I plan on coaching. I don't envision myself coaching for any other club."

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 6, 2016

When the possibility arose that Payton could be leaving the Saints, his name was quickly connected to the Giants' head coaching position, even before it was vacated. Payton had previous experience coaching the Giants' offense under Jim Fassel, and there was the thought that Eli Manning, Odell Beckham Jr, and others would thrive in Payton's innovative offense.

It had been widely reported that if Payton wanted out of New Orleans, they would let him go -- for a price. That price, reportedly starting at a second-round draft pick, might have turned off the Giants. The Giants are trying to complete a rebuilding program and facing a possible paradigm shift from the head coach down, and need every available resource to complete it before the window closes on Eli Manning's career.

Regardless of whether or not Payton was ever a realistic candidate or if the Giants were interested in making a trade for him, he is no longer on the table. The Giants will just have to continue their interviewing process, with Steve Spagnuolo, Adam Gase, Sean McDermott, and Doug Marone currently slated to interview over the coming days.