You’ve seen the movie. Or at least you’ve seen the trailer for Home Team, that Kevin James flick where a suspended NFL coach heads back to Texas to coach his son's middle school football team. It’s a fun, slightly dramatized version of the real-life 2012 Bountygate suspension that sent Sean Payton to the sidelines of a sixth-grade team in Argyle, Texas.
But movies end. Real life keeps moving.
Naturally, fans of the Denver Broncos and the New Orleans Saints are curious. What happened to that kid? What does Sean Payton's son do now that he’s well into his twenties? While his sister, Meghan Payton, has become a familiar face in sports media and sideline reporting, Connor has taken a path that stays a bit closer to the actual gears of the game.
The NFL Front Office Ambitions
Connor Payton isn't trying to be the next superstar quarterback, despite what some might assume given his proximity to the Manning family. He’s looking at the game from the top down. Specifically, Connor has set his sights on a career in an NFL front office.
Honestly, it makes sense. If you grew up in locker rooms and draft rooms, you’d probably find the "business" side of football more enticing than the average fan does.
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After finishing high school at Liberty Christian, where he played as an outside linebacker (and famously got coached by his dad during that hiatus), Connor headed to Texas Christian University (TCU). While at TCU, he wasn't just a regular student. He was already building the resume. By 2022, he was putting in time with the New Orleans Saints scouting department during training camp.
Think about that for a second. While most college kids are working retail or lounging by the pool during summer break, Connor was learning how to break down game film and evaluate talent under some of the best scouts in the business.
Scouting and the Saints Legacy
Growing up in New Orleans during the Drew Brees era does something to your perspective. For Connor, the Saints weren't just a team; they were basically home. He spent fifteen years—from age 6 to 21—embedded in that organization.
When Sean Payton eventually stepped away from the Saints in early 2022, Connor posted a tribute on social media that felt like a goodbye to a huge part of his own identity. He basically said that after growing up a "football kid," it’s hard not to want a career in it.
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The transition from "coach’s son" to "professional scout" is a well-trodden path in the NFL. Look at the Belichicks or the Reids. But Connor seems more interested in the personnel side—finding the players rather than just calling the plays.
Why He’s Not in the Spotlight Like Meghan
If you search for the Payton kids, you’ll find plenty of clips of Meghan Payton. She’s worked for the NFL Network, various sports betting platforms, and has done a lot of on-camera work. She's great at it.
Connor is different. He’s a bit more "behind the scenes." This is typical for people aiming for the front office. General Managers and scouts don't usually want to be the story; they want to find the story.
During the 2021-2022 season, when Sean took his brief retirement before heading to Denver, Connor was vocal about being happy for his dad. He told local New Orleans media that he was excited for his father to finally have some free time to visit him in Texas and Meghan in California. Of course, that "free time" lasted about as long as a timeout, and Sean was back in the league with the Broncos by 2023.
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What's Next for Connor Payton?
As of 2026, Connor is continuing to navigate the post-grad world of professional football. The path to becoming an NFL GM or a high-level executive is a grind. It involves:
- Lower-level scouting roles: Driving thousands of miles to watch small-college prospects.
- Draft room analytics: Helping teams decide if a player's "measurables" actually translate to Sunday wins.
- Personnel evaluation: Figuring out which veteran free agents are worth the cap space.
It’s a "pay your dues" industry. Even with a famous last name, you still have to be able to spot a diamond in the rough at a Division II school if you want to keep your job.
Actionable Insights for Football Fans
If you're following the Payton family legacy or looking to get into the sports industry yourself, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Watch the Personnel Reports: If you see the name "Payton" pop up in the staff directory for a team's scouting or operations department, it's likely Connor making his move.
- Understand the Scouting Path: Most front-office execs start as "Road Scouts." It’s a grueling job that requires a deep love for the game—something Connor clearly has.
- The Denver Connection: While he spent his life with the Saints, don't be surprised if his career path eventually intersects with the Broncos or another team in the Payton coaching tree.
Connor is essentially doing what any smart 20-something in a "family business" does: he's learning the trade from the ground up, leveraging his unique access while putting in the actual work to prove he belongs there.