The Miami Dolphins planned pursuits head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Tom Brady this offseason, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
The strategy shifted after former coach Brian Flores filed a lawsuit against the NFL, and specifically the Dolphins, New York Giants and Denver Broncos alleging racial discrimination in hiring practices. The Dolphins instead hired Mike McDaniel to be the next head coach, while Tua Tagovailoa remains the starting quarterback.
Per Florio, the Dolphins contacted the Saints about Payton after the coach resigned on Jan. 25. The two teams would have to agree on compensation for a trade to hire Payton, but New Orleans declined permission to even speak to the coach.