Sean Payton will return to the NFL sidelines in 2023 as head coach of the Denver Broncos.

The Broncos and New Orleans Saints agreed to the move on Tuesday afternoon after the 59-year-old spent the 2022 campaign as a studio analyst for Fox Sports but was still under contract in the Bayou.

As part of the deal, the Saints will receive the Broncos' first-round selection in the 2023 draft (29th overall), a second-round choice in 2024 and a third-round pick in the future.

Payton, who led the Saint to their only Super Bowl title in February 2010, interviewed for the vacant head coaching positions with the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans but ultimately chose the Mile-High City.

In his 15 seasons with the Saints, Payton had a record of 159-89, while going 9-8 in the playoffs before stepping away last year when Drew Brees retired.

He was chosen among a variety of coaching candidates in Denver who were considered, including Jim Harbaugh, who decided to remain at the University of Michigan.

The others in the running for the job were Dan Quinn, DeMeco Ryans, Raheem Morris, Ejiro Evero, Jim Caldwell and David Shaw.

Their new coach inherits a team who underwhelmed many in 2022, finishing dead last in the AFC West with a 5-12 record, while veteran QB Russell Wilson threw for a career-low 16 touchdown passes and was sacked more than any quarterback in the NFL (55).

Payton replaces Jerry Rosburg, who was the interim coach when Nathaniel Hackett was fired in December.