Payton Mulls Stepping Down to Let Belichick Chase Record

Sean Payton, in his first year with the Denver Broncos, toyed with a plan to step back to assistant head coach so that former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick could pursue the NFL win record. The proposal was aimed at giving Belichick a chance to reach 347 victories, surpassing Don Shula’s long‑standing record, after the Patriots dismissed him following the 2023 season.

Payton’s suggestion, presented to owner Greg Penner, was ultimately considered too complex and fanciful. Although Belichick would need 15 more wins to break the record, the logistics of the move made it impractical. The idea highlighted Payton’s respect for the legendary coach, but it did not move forward as a realistic option. cat-cross.com