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Could Sean Payton Be The Eagles Next Head Coach?

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Maybe? The Eagles surprised us all when they announced the firing of Chip Kelly on Tuesday, one game shy of completing his third season with the team.

A 26-20 record was not enough to earn Kelly another season at the helm. As the dust settles, it's time to start making guesses about who the next coach of the Eagles will be.

Let me throw a name in the hat....Sean Payton.

New Orleans Saints v Philadelphia Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 11: Head coach Chip Kelly, left, of the Philadelphia Eagles greets head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints after their football game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 11, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Saints 39-17. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)

NFL reporter Ian Rapoport recently reported that executives around the league believe Payton could be ready to say goodbye to New Orleans. Despite ten years as the head man for the Saints, there is some speculation that Payton might be ready to make a move as the organization itself faces a serious transitional period ahead in light of the future of Drew Brees.

Becoming the head coach of the Eagles would be somewhat of a homecoming for Payton. He served as the quarterbacks coach for the team from 1997 to 1998.

A Payton hire would be the complete opposite of what fans saw from Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman three seasons ago when they brought Kelly to town. Blowout wins and an innovative college offense were Kelly's claims to fame.

Payton has NFL victories, the respect of players across the league and a Super Bowl on his resume.

It will be interesting to see if the Eagles throw their name in the hat in a potential bidding war for Payton's services.

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