Dolphins tampered with Sean Payton this offseason, spoke to agent without Saints' permission

The NFL concluded its investigation into the Miami Dolphins recently after there were allegations of tampering, and what the league found is damaging for the franchise. The Dolphins were docked two draft picks, including a first-rounder in 2023 for violating the integrity of the game.

One of the violations involved Sean Payton this offseason. The NFL found that the Dolphins spoke to the agent of Payton, Don Yee, about the team’s head coaching position in January. This conversation occurred before Payton announced his retirement from coaching, which means Miami would’ve needed permission from the Saints.

As a result, the NFL deemed it “impermissible communications” after the Dolphins “did not seek consent from New Orleans to have these discussions.” The Dolphins went on to hire Mike McDaniel as their head coach and Payton remains retired.

NFL: “In January 2022, the Dolphins had impermissible communications with Don Yee, the agent for Saints head coach Sean Payton, about having Mr. Payton serve as Miami’s head coach. Miami did not seek consent from New Orleans to have these discussions…”

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 2, 2022

The Dolphins also tampered with Tom Brady, talking to him back in 2019 and again in 2021. The conversations last year were about Brady becoming “a limited partner in the Dolphins and possibly serving as a football executive.”