Report: Sean Payton sought buffer between Saints owner Rita LeBlanc

Sean Payton reportedly wanted a buffer between owner/exec Rita Benson LeBlanc. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Why did Sean Payton request a clause in his Saints contract extension freeing him if general manager Mickey Loomis left the team? A league source told Pro Football Talk Payton wanted to protect his position with the Saints’ emerging power player: owner/executive Rita Benson LeBlanc.

A league source tells PFT that Payton wanted to be sure that Loomis would be present to serve as a buffer between the coach and Rita Benson LeBlanc.

LeBlanc is expected to have more, not less, power during the term of Payton’s next contract.  So Payton prefers not to have to deal with LeBlanc.  To ensure that Payton won’t have to, Loomis needs to be there.

If the league continues to reject language tying Payton’s extension with Loomis, the suspended coach’s future with LeBlanc could play a role in his final destination.