Thing to know: Is Sean Payton staying in New Orleans?

In Mike Florio's "One Thing You Need to Know" segment, Florio breaks down the gray area in Sean Payton's contract with the New Orleans Saints. Despite being suspended for the season, Payton can be reinstated to the team before the Super Bowl and before his contract is up after the 2012 season.

[Also: Tim Tebow 'disappointed' after Jets name McElroy starting QB]

The only question left to answer is the exact date his contract expires. Florio says that if the Saints want to play hardball with Payton, they could tell him he's not free to talk to any other team until his contract expires sometime in 2013, but most teams' coaching search will be completed by then.

Sources close to the situation tell Florio he is on to something by bringing this question to light.

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