Will Sean Payton be the next Dallas Cowboys coach? Social media reaction is certain

The reaction was immediate.

As soon as news broke that Sean Payton was stepping down as head coach of the New Orleans Saints, speculation on him taking over the Dallas Cowboys exploded on social media.

Payton’s deal with the Saints runs through 2024 so any team hiring him would need to pay off the remainder of his contract.

Payton, 58, was an assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach for Bill Parcells’ Cowboys staff from 2003-05, before taking the Saints’ head job in 2006. He was 152-89 in 15 seasons with the Saints, including nine playoff appearances. His 2009 team won the Super Bowl. His teams reached the NFC Championship Game three times.

Payton has long been a target of Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones, according to multiple reports over the years.