Saints Coach Sean Payton On Hot Seat, Per NFC South Writers

NEW ORLEANS, LA — Sean Payton arrived in New Orleans to resurrect the Saints. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, his football team played a big part in resurrecting the city. Despite his efforts the last 11 years in New Orleans, he may be in jeopardy of losing his job if the team doesn't perform up to standard in the 2017 season.

Four writers who cover the NFC South for ESPN.com were asked which coach in that division was on the proverbial hot seat. All four resoundingly pointed toward Payton, saying that even though he's done great things, including winning the Super Bowl after the 2009 season, he could be gone if the team has another losing record.

The Saints have gone 7-9 in each of the last three seasons. They play in a division that has sent a team to the Super Bowl each of the last two years (Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons), both runners up. Quarterback Drew Brees is 38-years-old and closing in on Peyton Manning's career passing yard mark in the NFL.

Here's what four writers are saying about Sean Payton on ESPN.com:

Jenna Laine, Tampa Bay Buccaneers reporter: Sean Payton has to have the hottest seat. The Saints have gone 7-9 in each of the past three seasons; they fired five assistant coaches, including assistant head coach Joe Vitt, and traded away one of their young offensive stars in Brandin Cooks. They're running out of options, and the clock is ticking with Drew Brees not getting any younger.

Vaughn McClure, Atlanta Falcons reporter: Payton. There were discussions about his future after last season, with talk of Payton even being traded to another team. Instead, Payton fired five of his assistant coaches in the hopes that some new blood would improve the current team.

David Newton, Carolina Panthers reporter: Payton. Yes, he led the Saints to a Super Bowl victory after the 2009 season, but what has he done lately? The only thing worse than New Orleans' salary-cap situation is its defense, which has been near the bottom of the league throughout this hapless run. There are no signs that the unit will show improvement in 2017.

Mike Triplett, New Orleans Saints reporter: Payton and Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. I'm hesitant to list these guys as "on the hot seat" because I think they are safer and more valued internally than people probably realize from the outside. But let's face it, who else am I going to pick in this division? Even Payton and Loomis would have to agree that the franchise can't afford to maintain the status quo if it doesn't finally make a playoff run this year. The Saints could also consider moving on from Brees -- who is heading into the last year of his contract -- if they decide to go for a total rebuild, although I think that would be nuts since they don't have an heir apparent in place yet.

Triplett went on into further opinionated discussion about the franchise.

The Saints signed former Vikings running back Adrian Peterson in the offseason to join former Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram in the backfield. The Saints will play their first preseason game in less than a month on Aug. 10 at Cleveland. New Orleans opens the season on Monday, Sept. 11 at the Minnesota Vikings.

Caption: New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton talks to quarterback Drew Brees (9) before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015.

Photo via Jonathan Bachman/Associated Press