NFL Rumors: Latest Buzz on Sean Payton, Jarryd Hayne and Thomas Dimitroff

The NFL playoffs loom just two weeks away, yet rumors of personnel shuffles for 2016 and beyond have surfaced that, should they come to fruition, would greatly shift the competitive landscape. 

Sean Payton’s lengthy tenure with the New Orleans Saints could be coming to a close, Aussie rugby star Jarryd Hayne is reportedly returning to the San Francisco 49ers next season and Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff will supposedly have a sit-down to discuss his job at season’s end.

Here is a look at the latest buzz. 

Sean Payton Seeking Other Jobs

Payton has two years left on his current deal with the Saints, but given the Saints’ struggles the past two seasons and a personnel overhaul likely on the horizon, the 10-year coach is exploring other options, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com 

Rapoport went on to elaborate on NFL Network (h/t Conor Orr of NFL.com) that Payton is interested in moving West:

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The prevailing thought is that maybe it is simply time for Sean Payton to move on, and executives around the league do believe he is searching for a potential landing spot if he parts ways with the Saints at the end of the season. One possibility to mention, the San Diego Chargers, who could be moving to L.A. ... His daughter goes to school in the area. 

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First, there would need to be an opening in Southern California for Payton to move on, meaning the Chargers would have to relieve current head coach Mike McCoy, who is 22-25 in his three-year tenure. That’s a very realistic possibility given the Chargers are in the midst of their worst season since 2003. 

Despite the Saints’ struggles—largely stemming from a payroll imbalance—Payton is among the league’s best, and could find a haven in SoCal. 

Jarryd Hayne To Remain Under 49ers Control in 2016

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The 49ers promoted Hayne to the active roster on Thursday and are expected to keep him there due to the rampant attrition in what’s become the league’s most beleaguered backfield. 

Should Hayne remain on the roster through the final week of the season—a very likely proposition given he was active Sunday—he’ll be sticking around in 2016, per Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee:

Hayne’s role next season, however, remains unclear. 

After climbing to fame as an Australian rugby all-star, he was installed as the team’s primary punt returner but struggled in his transition to American football, fumbling three times in six games that eventually led to a practice squad demotion. 

His future will likely be rooted in special teams, as starter Carlos Hyde remains under contract through 2017, though he could continue to enhance his argument in the run game by a strong finish in the regular-season finale after tallying 27 yards on nine carries in his Week 16 return. 

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff To Sit Down with Owner After Season

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The Falcons will likely be just the fifth team since 1991 to start 5-0 and not reach the playoffs, defying 91 percent odds in their favor. 

But a more narrow look at their strong opening exposes their pitfalls stemming from an overall lack of talent—an issue that rests with general manager Thomas Dimitroff. 

Falcons brass is reportedly seeking their second major front office change in as many seasons, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, after firing head coach Mike Smith last winter:

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Falcons owner Arthur Blank is seriously considering major changes in his personnel department, according to league sources, and is likely to move on from general manager Thomas Dimitroff and much of his staff, with the team again in a sustained tailspin and its talent level under question. 

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However, Rapoport reports Blank is reportedly planning a meeting at season’s end to gauge Dimitroff’s forecast of the personnel before making any decision:

After reaching the playoffs in four of his first five seasons, Dimitroff was argued to be included in last winter’s housecleaning that jettisoned Smith, the franchise’s most successful head coach. 

Dimitroff was credited with much success for drafting Matt Ryan, signing All-Pro running back Michael Turner and aggressively trading for Tony Gonzalez and Julio Jones through draft picks that culminated with an NFC Championship Game appearance in 2012. 

But the team has been stale since, going 18-29, including Sunday's upset with over the then-undefeated Carolina Panthers. 

The Falcons have a top running back in Devonta Freeman and arguably the game’s best receiver in Jones, but massive deficiencies loom across the offensive line and the entire defense, and Dimitroff’s draft selections in recent years have been spotty. 

There’s no doubting Dimitroff revitalized the Falcons to their best era in franchise history, but it appears he’s run out of time to turn this roster into one that can contend even within its division.