CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton was on the proverbial hot seat in 2016. His team went 7-9 for the third straight season. The gleam of the man who brought a city still feeling the devastation of Hurricane Katrina a Super Bowl title during the 2009 season was fading fast.
Then-owner Tom Benson stood pat, just as he did in 2012, when Payton was under fire for the "Bountygate" scandal.
Although Benson didn't live to see the benefits of his patience, the Saints have returned to NFL prominence. They are 11-2 heading into Monday night's game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.