The Arizona Cardinals have received permission to speak to former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported.

Arizona, the Houston Texans and the Denver Broncos are the teams with reported interest in interviewing Payton.

According to Rapoport and Tom Pelissero earlier in the week, the former Saints head coach had already done his homework on the Cardinals if the position did become available.

There is actually some familiarity between the two sides, with Payton working for the Bidwill family as a St. Louis Cardinals ball boy.

“I think I know that family well enough,” he told Colin Cowherd last November.

There is, however, the added wrinkle of compensation the Cardinals must consider if they want to bring Payton out of his coaching hiatus.

“I have two years left on a contract with New Orleans (2023-24),” Payton said Sunday on FOX. “So, because of that, any team that would want to inquire or speak with me can do so, they just need permission from the Saints.

“And then down the road, if that’s something that materializes into anything else, then there would be compensation required, much like a player trade.”

There are also other suitors looking to bring Payton in.

With the Broncos firing Nathaniel Hackett after less than a season of work, the team has requested an interview with Payton. They and the Saints have already discussed compensation.

Payton cannot take formal interviews with teams until Jan. 17.

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