Because the nfl said there wasn’t.

When Williams and Payton were suspended they were forced by Goodell to sign statements they had not read, or face a lifetime ban. If they speak out and happen to contradict anything in those statements that they have not read, Goodell will deny their reinstatement and convert their suspensions to lifetime bans. They are free to talk, but if they speak against the NFL they will just need to find a new career.
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Statements they haven’t read? Since when did you start working in the Saint’s front office and/or the NFL offices? Stop randomly making things up to suit your point,as you clearly feel the league has done.

Coming out against the league would likely not be seen as cooperating.

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The NFL would just claim they found some new evidence of Payton breaking some rule, and claim thats why his suspension was increased and had absolutely NOTHING to do with speaking out against the supposed bounty program.

And people like you would believe them because “Oh gee, hey guys, why would Roger Goodell ever tell a lie?” as if Roger Goodell is somehow a perfect angel, and not someone who got his start in the PR department, which literally figures out the best way to manipulate people into their way of thinking.

Here you go – right out of another article:
Brees comments mesh with information that multiple sources have shared with PFT in recent days. We’re told that Payton and Williams have been quiet because they are concerned about retribution from the league office, if they publicly undermine the league’s position regarding the player suspensions in any way.

As one source explained it, the scorched-earth investigation that the NFL conducted in late 2011, which included a review of the Saints’ computer system, may have yielded other information on which additional sanctions could be based, if the league is so inclined.

So in the real worl of reality – if you made remarks about your boss over a situation on your job (if you two have ever worked), do you think you would be his favorite due for the next big raise? Or on his S – - t list in the future? But then again it takes some common sense to figure this out so I would not be surprised if you can’t by the remarks both of you made.

Which makes me wonder… either the NFL is withholding information about this whole thing that could only benefit the coaches if they keep quiet, in which case it might be a good idea for the players to keep quiet too. Or the coaches are angered at the fact that the players didn’t say or do much in their defense back in March so why should they?

Or… The simplest answer is usually the right one. It happened. They did it. They tried to cover it up and still did it. They were warned to stop and continued to do it. They tried to appeal and after confronted with the evidence realized that it’s probably better to shut up and take their punishment like men.

“Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that he would “consider mitigating the financial penalties” on the various individuals involved “if they embrace the opportunity” to assist in those programs.

Additionally, the league said it would consider “modifying the forfeiture” of the 2013 second-round pick that the Saints were initially docked by the league.

It’s worth noting that the suspensions for Payton, Loomis and Vitt do not automatically just “end” — Goodell “will review the status” for all three and “determine their eligibility for reinstatement.”

Good call on that one genius keep up the good work.
What have you done with your life?

Any reasonable person knows that Williams and Payton, especially Williams, needs to keep quiet to get back in the league.

Greg Williams is suspended indefinitely, so it is up to Goodell to let him back in. I am sure that if Williams came out and claimed the league’s evidence is not valid, he would not be allowed to coach for a long time.

Get on a plane and go see Williams. Then–AND ONLY THEN-hold a presser and repeat these off the wall claims. Until I hear Brees say “I just spoke to Williams and Payton and they assure me none of this is true and they are keeping quiet because they fear NFL retaliation”
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You’re right that it won’t happen, because Payton and Williams are both banned from the league and can’t communicate with him.

However, Brees clearly spoke with Payton before the suspension took affect, so it’s doubtful that he is just a conspiracy theorist.

You think that might be one reason the Saints’ coaches and gm are afraid to speak out? See any pattern of behavior there from the NFL?