Sean Payton Says Johnny Manziel Meeting Was a Get-to-Know-You Session

Sean Payton sat down with Johnny Manziel to discuss the embattled quarterback's NFL future during Super Bowl week, but the New Orleans Saints head coach pumped the breaks Tuesday on speculation regarding a possible partnership between the two sides.

Speaking to John DeShazier of the Saints' official website at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix, Arizona, Payton explained he was simply doing due diligence when he spoke to Manziel last month:

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I think that is a little different (than visiting with Butler). I wasn't involved in the draft process the year he came out. I met him and had breakfast at the Super Bowl. I was curious, really, to get to know him some.

He's got a number of things that he's working to do to make himself available. I certainly would say, for us, it was really just a chance for me to visit with him. And that would be in a much different phase than Malcolm Butler or some of the things that we're discussing as we approach the draft. It was the first time I met him and we spent some time kind of going through his story.

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Citing a team source on Tuesday, Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reported the Saints have "no interest" in signing Manziel.

However, the Saints should be intrigued by the idea of adding a young quarterback to their roster in some capacity. 

Drew Brees may be coming off a sensational season that saw him complete 70 percent of his passes for a league-leading 5,208 yards and 37 touchdowns, but he's going to be 39 years old by the time the 2017 season comes to a close.

Plus, the Saints have the ability to void the remainder of his contract before the 2018 league year starts without serious penalty since there's no guaranteed money on his deal past this season.

That said, the Saints won't be able to feel comfortable letting Brees walk without a quarterback they trust to carry the team forward.

And while it's unclear if New Orleans is willing to spend its first-round pick (No. 11 overall) on a future franchise signal-caller, the Advocate's Nick Underhill reported in March the Saints "are interested in adding another quarterback to bring up behind Drew Brees."

As for Manziel, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweeted March 1 that the former Heisman Trophy winner was "drawing real interest" from teams at the combine. 

That said, the draft may need to unfold before prospective employers can fully asses their depth charts and decide if they're ready to roll the dice on Manziel's comeback.