Broncos give Sean Payton a new contract after AFC Championship appearance

Sean Payton is getting a new deal after leading the Broncos to the AFC Championship game.Denver and Payton agreed to a new five-year contract Thursday, replacing the previous deal that still had two years remaining.Financial terms were not immediately disclosed.The new contract runs through 2030.“Sean Payton has led an impressive turnaround over the past three seasons, instilling a winning culture with high expectations,” Broncos owner Greg Penner said in a statement.

“I appreciate the close partnership he shares with George Paton along with the alignment and stability across our football operations.“We’re thrilled for Sean to continue leading our team as head coach, building on our progress during such an exciting time for the Broncos.”The Broncos had to pay a hefty price to bring in Payton, giving up their 2024 first-round pick and their 2023 second-round pick in a deal with the Saints, with whom he was under contract through 2024.Payton stepped away from the Saints after the 2021 season, holding a franchise-record 161 victories.During his time in New Orleans, Payton led the Saints to their only Super Bowl during the 2009 season.  Payton quickly turned things around in Denver, leading the Broncos to their first playoff appearance in nine years during his second season at the helm in 2024.A year later, they would fall one win short of the Big Game, losing to the Patriots in the AFC title game....