If Sean Payton does return to coaching next season, it will reportedly be in a familiar location.

A source told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that Payton returning to the New Orleans Saints in 2023 is the "worst-kept secret" in the NFL.

Whether or not he returns, Payton is a Saints legend.

He coached the franchise from 2006 through 2021, although he was suspended for the 2012 campaign because of his role in the Bountygate scandal. He posted a 152-89 record with nine playoff appearances and one Super Bowl title.

That Lombardi Trophy came during the 2009 season and was the crowning achievement of the Payton and Drew Brees era that defined the Saints for so long.

Yet the quarterback retired after the 2020 season, while the coach stepped down after the 2021 campaign. New Orleans promoted defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to the head coaching role, and the team is 6-9 on the season.

It should be noted, though, that it is still just one game behind the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South and has an opportunity to make a playoff push because of the poor play from the division all season.

Perhaps the Saints would hesitate to move on from Allen if they did make the playoffs, but their inconsistent play suggests that likely won't happen.

As for Payton, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported he is "so interested in returning to coaching in the NFL that he's already putting together an all-star staff that includes former Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio as his potential defensive coordinator."

Payton is currently an analyst at Fox.