3 reasons Sean Payton’s departure is great news for the Panthers

Saints have lost their “fear factor”

Having a stable head coach for 15 years is a luxury most NFL teams haven’t ever had. The New Orleans Saints always felt like a dangerous outfit with Sean Payton as their head coach, but this novelty has now worn off and it will be up to the Carolina Panthers and others across the league to take full advantage.

Their fear factor has well and truly gone. It diminished when Drew Bress began regressing and retired, and it has now transitioned to non-existent status with the news Payton is stepping away from the organization.

Whether it’s a complete rebuild or a few tweaks here and there, New Orleans won’t be the force of old without Payton. It’s that simple, really.

Again, it’s not like the Panthers are pulling up any trees in the fear department either. But this is something that definitely improves their chances of making a bigger splash within the NFC South in 2022.

Payton won’t be missed by Carolina’s loyal fanbase, who have endured many a heartbreak under his watch. Morale seems pretty low among supporters regarding the team’s chances next season after Matt Rhule got a reprieve, but this latest development brings a glimmer of hope, at the very least.