Week 6 for the Arizona Cardinals spelled much of this disparity that has plagued the 2-4 squad this season. After watching much of that same average performance on Sunday, fans began their familiar uproar on firing head coach Kliff Kingsbury.
Kingsbury has been no hero for Arizona fans this season, and many during Week 6 against the Seattle Seahawks called for his removal. One common name that circulated amongst enthusiast was Sean Payton, former head coach of the New Orleans Saints.
Let’s start it now!
Sean Payton to AZ! 🙏🏼#AZCardinals
— The AZ sports fan! (@TheAZsportsfan1) October 16, 2022
Give me Sean Payton
This is year 4 with Kliff Kingsbury as the head coach. They should be better than this. DeAndre Hopkins cannot be the one guy that makes their offense click. It's not sustainable success.
— Andy Kwong (@akwong31) October 16, 2022
If they haven’t already the Cardinals might wanna put out feelers on Sean Payton
— Dan Duarte (@danduarte1) October 16, 2022
I wouldn't give them a ride back from Seattle.
1. Fire Kliff
2. Promote Vance
3. Call Sean Payton https://t.co/MGJ9vHnkFZ— Scott_The Doc (@TheDoc_8404) October 16, 2022
Payton has been a hot commodity in the coaching pool lately. As teams settle into their potential, most fans are urging front offices to give the former Super Bowl champion a call.
Related: Cardinals Fall to Seahawks in Week 6
A replacement of Kingsbury for Payton could be beneficial, but it would come with some financial hurdles. As it stands, Payton’s contract with the Saints runs through 2024, meaning any team that elects to hire him would be sending compensation to the Saints in return.
What makes this matter more complex for Arizona is Kingsbury’s current contract. Kingsbury signed a five-year extension with the Cardinals in March, which surely won’t see him easily out of Arizona so quickly. In short, the Cardinals would be shelling out a lot of money to see Payton in Arizona.
Even with an extension, Kingsbury isn’t out of the clear. Week 6’s bout against the Seahawks was one that could’ve been Arizona’s for the taking. However, questionable calls from Kingsbury amongst decisions from the offense resulted in a deflating loss.
Kingsbury and the Cardinals have a possible silver lining next week, as wideout Deandre Hopkins will be set to return to action. Still, banking on Hopkins being the entire savior to this offense is a hefty expectation.
Arizona will try to right its ship in Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints.
