Report: Sean Payton Negotiating Contract with Fox Sports to Replace Troy Aikman

With the No. 1 NFL analyst job for Fox Sports reportedly opening up, former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton could move into the role for the 2022 season. 

Per Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, Fox and Payton have opened negotiations about having him replace Troy Aikman as Joe Buck's broadcast partner. 

Aikman, who has been with Fox Sports since 2001, is expected to sign a five-year deal to become the main analyst on Monday Night Football for ESPN, per Andrew Marchand of the New York Post.

According to McCarthy, Payton is expected to receive a deal worth $10 million annually, and he would be paired with Joe Buck for Fox's No. 1 game of the week. 

Per Logan Reardon of NBC Chicago, Payton's $9.8 million salary in 2021 with the New Orleans Saints made him the third-highest-paid head coach in the NFL. Only Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots ($12.5 million) and Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks ($11 million) made more. 

Payton signed a five-year extension with the Saints in 2019. His previous deal with the team was set to expire after the 2021 season.

The Saints hired Payton as their head coach in 2006. He went 152-89 in 15 seasons, leading them to nine playoff appearances, seven division titles and a victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV in the 2009 season. 

After missing the playoffs this season with a 9-8 record, Payton announced he was stepping away from the Saints. 

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Payton could return to coaching with another team after taking the 2022 season off. 

Aikman and Buck have been Fox's lead NFL broadcast team since 2002.