Sean Payton’s agent, NFL close to finalizing conditions for contract negotiations

Sean Payton’s agent, Don Yee, and the NFL are close to “finalizing conditions” for Payton and the New Orleans Saints to discuss a contract extension, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reported on Thursday night.

NFL and Sean Payton’s agent Don Yee are finalizing conditions under which suspended Saints HC can negotiate a contract extension with NO.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 29, 2012

Once NFL and Don Yee agree to conditions, Saints and Payton are expected to commence discussions about contract extension, per NFL source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 29, 2012

Payton, suspended for the year for his role in the Saints’ bounty program, is set to have his contract expire at the end of the season. The Times-Picayune’s Mike Triplett reported that Payton is not unhappy in New Orleans, but it remains to be seen if he will agree to a new deal quickly or if he will keep his options open.

Triplett reported that the only serious threat to Payton re-signing with the Saints would appear to be the Dallas Cowboys — if the head job opens up. Payton’s children live in Dallas.