New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton stands on the sideline in the second half against the New York Giants in week 2 of the NFL at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on September 18, 2016. The Giants defeated the Saints 16-13. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton reacts to a call during the game with the Detroit Lions at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans December 4, 2016. Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton talks on the sidelines before the Saints-Arizona Cardinals game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, December 18, 2016. Photo by Art Foxall/UPI | License Photo

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Big names surround a certain Los Angeles-area job opening.

Add New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton to the list of qualified candidates to serve as the Los Angeles Rams' head coach.


On Saturday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Payton is "monitoring" the Rams job.

"With the Los Angeles Rams job open, multiple sources say it is a position Payton is monitoring with sincere interest," Rapoport reported.

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported last weekend that the Saints are open to trading its coach this offseason. In March, the Saints gave Payton a five-year deal worth more than $45 million.

"League sources said the Saints -- adrift in another lost season and with veteran quarterback Drew Brees spiraling in recent weeks -- would consider moving the coach should there be suitors, and it would not likely require hefty trade compensation," La Canfora reported.

The Rams fired longtime head coach Jeff Fisher on Dec. 12.

Payton, 52, is 93-65 in 10 seasons with the Saints. He has never lost more than nine games in a season. The Saints battle the Atlanta Falcons at 4:25 p.m. Saturday in an NFC South clash at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.