ESPN’s Ed Werder reports that the Saints reimbursed head coach Sean Payton for the $250,000 he paid to get defensive coordinator Gregg Williams on staff last offseason.
Payton was reportedly paid the money in Week 9.
Williams’ defense gave up a lot of yards during the regular season, but was a turnover-forcing machine. Only the Packers and Bills intercepted more passes.
FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reported Payton’s donation last January. At the time, it was believed Payton might be headed for a win-or-else season.
New Orleans went on to finish the regular season 13-3 and claim the NFC’s No. 1 seed en route to their first Super Bowl berth in franchise history.