In the world of sports, the intertwining paths of teams and players often create fascinating "what-if" scenarios, and the saga involving Sean Payton, the Dallas Cowboys, and Anthony Davis is a prime example.
Back in 2019, the Dallas Cowboys were on the brink of making Sean Payton their head coach. It was a move that seemed all but certain until a twist of fate involving the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans changed everything.
Terron Armstead, a five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle, recently shared on the St. Brown Podcast that if Payton had left for Dallas, the Saints players were ready to rally behind Dan Campbell as their new head coach.
This revelation sheds light on a potential coaching shift that never came to be.
The behind-the-scenes maneuvering involved the Cowboys' owner, Jerry Jones, who was ready to part ways with then-coach Jason Garrett, provided he could secure Payton. The plan was intricate, requiring the Saints' approval to release Payton from his contract and compensating them for his rights. It was a done deal-until Anthony Davis dropped a bombshell.
On January 28, 2019, Davis announced he wanted out of New Orleans, prompting a trade request that sent ripples through both the NBA and NFL. With Gayle Benson owning both the Pelicans and the Saints, and Mickey Loomis holding executive roles in both organizations, the decision was made to keep Payton in New Orleans to avoid losing two high-profile figures at once.
This decision had far-reaching consequences. Payton stayed with the Saints, signing a new contract later that year. Fast forward to 2026, and he's now the head coach of the Denver Broncos, a move that might never have happened if the Cowboys had succeeded in their pursuit.
For Denver sports, Davis's trade request might have been a blessing in disguise. The Los Angeles Lakers, who acquired Davis, went on to become a significant rival for the Denver Nuggets, especially during their 2020 playoff clash. The Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, eventually triumphed over the Lakers in 2023, marking a historic moment for the franchise.
On the NFL front, the Broncos eventually secured Payton as their coach after parting ways with Nathaniel Hackett. This move could be pivotal for the team's future, steering them toward potential success with Payton at the helm.
In the end, Anthony Davis's decision to leave New Orleans set off a chain reaction that reshaped the futures of multiple teams across two sports. It's a reminder of how interconnected the sports world can be, and how one decision can ripple through time, altering the course of history for franchises and their fans alike.