Broncos get Payton as coach
The Denver Broncos have agreed to a deal with the New Orleans Saints that will make Sean Payton their head coach, a person with knowledge of the accord said Tuesday.
The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the teams hadn't announced the agreement, said the Broncos would send their firstround pick, No. 29 overall, in this year's draft to the Saints along with a future second-rounder.
Payton remained under contract with New Orleans after stepping down from the Saints last season and working in broadcasting this season.
The Broncos, who went 5-12 this season and extended their playoff drought to seven years, fired rookie coach Nathaniel Hackett on Dec. 26 after he went 4-11. Interim coach Jerry Rosburg went 1-1.
BOSA WINS ESHMONT AWARD >> Nick Bosa, who
The Denver Broncos have agreed to a deal with the New Orleans Saints that will make Sean Payton their head coach.
won his first NFL sack title this season, also won the 49ers' most prestigious honor: the Len Eshmont Award, for inspirational and courageous play.
Bosa also won the Matt Hazeltine “Iron Man” Award for being the most courageous and inspirational defensive player this season, which ended with Sunday's NFC Championship Game loss at Philadelphia.
Fred Warner won the
Bill Walsh Award, as voted on by coaches for professionalism. Bosa won last year's honor, following past recipients since 2017 in Kyle Juszczyk, Kittle, Buckner and Warner.
RODGERS BELIEVES DECISION COULD COME IN `COUPLE OF WEEKS' >> Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he doesn't expect to make a decision on whether to play next season until after the Super Bowl.
Rodgers, 39, has said he is still making up his mind on whether he wants to return to the Packers for a 19th season, retire or request a trade. The fourtime MVP also has noted the possibility the Packers may want to move him.
Colleges
MICHIGAN STATE PLAYER WHO SWUNG HELMET GETS PROBATION >> A Michigan State football player who swung his helmet at a Michigan player in a stadium tunnel expressed regret and said he's “just looking forward to wuppin' some maize and blue” on the field.
Khary Crump, a defensive back, was sentenced to probation. He was one of seven Michigan State players charged in a skirmish that followed a loss at Michigan Stadium on Oct. 29.
Crump was the only Spartan facing a felony, but that charge was dismissed in an agreement to plead guilty to misdemeanors. His record will be scrubbed clean if he stays out of trouble while on probation.