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NFL Coach Power Rankings: Where Jay Gruden fits in among the 32 coaches

By Jacob Camenker

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 29: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins talks with quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/ Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 29: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins talks with quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/ Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 17: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints and head coach Sean Payton talk during the first half of a game against the New York Jets at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 17: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints and head coach Sean Payton talk during the first half of a game against the New York Jets at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

15. . Head Coach. New Orleans Saints. Sean Payton. 4. player

Back to back Seans on the top coaches list. While McVay is an inexperienced, younger coach with a brilliant offensive mind, Sean Payton is an experienced, older coach with… a brilliant offensive mind.

Payton has been a coordinator/head coach in the NFL since 2000 when the New York Giants hired him to man their offense. In his first season, the team ranked 13th in yardage. Since 2006, Payton has fielded a top 10 offense in terms of yardage with six units ranked No. 1 overall. And his scoring offense has been very good as well, falling outside the top 12 just twice.

Payton has been able to lead the Saints since 2006, when he became the head coach. Payton, coming to a city that had just been ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, brought with him a new face to help inspire the city. And along with himself, he brought a new quarterback. Drew Brees.

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Brees became an elite quarterback working alongside Payton. When he was signed, he was coming off a major shoulder injury that few expected him to come back from. Instead, he made a fully comeback and became even better. Payton’s vertical offense allowed Brees to pick apart defenses and Payton’s ability to scheme receivers open was a perfect match for Brees’ excellent arm talent. That’s how Payton’s teams were so good year in and year out. Brees and the offensive system Payton put in place.

However, Payton isn’t afraid to make adjustment either. In game or season long, Payton always knows what to do with his offense. Last season, he used Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram to create a stellar running attack and take pressure off Brees. And in game, it seems that Payton and Brees are always on the same page about how to attack defenses and create scoring opportunities.

The only negative associated with Payton is the Bountygate scandal. Payton was a part of the New Orleans coaching staff when it was revealed that certain coaches on the team had paid players for hits that injured opponents. This was a major disappointment, as the idea that players were actively trying to injure each other was damaging for the Saints, the NFL, and Payton’s reputation. He was suspended for the entire 2012 season as a result and certainly paid for his actions.

Bountygate aside, what Payton has done in New Orleans is remarkable and important. He brought Brees to the city and helped reinvigorate the community after an awful tragedy. He led the team’s offense to a lot of success and the team to a 105-71 record. And, of course, he brought the squad a Super Bowl ring in 2009. Payton will continue to be one of the better coaches in the NFL, and should keep leading the Saints as long as Brees is still in town.

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