Sports | Sean Payton Saints Coach Reinstated After Bounty Scandal Sean Payton now committed to 'safety' By Evann Gastaldo Posted Jan 22, 2013 1:45 PM CST Copied In this 2011 file photo, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton yells from the sideline. (AP Photo/Joe Howell, File) Sean Payton is back: The NFL reinstated the New Orleans Saints coach today; he had been suspended for the entire season in the wake of his team's "bounty" scandal, in which players were paid for injuring opponents. Payton and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell "had a very productive discussion" yesterday, Goodell says in a statement, adding that Payton "fully complied" with all his suspension requirements and is committed to "safety" in the future. Earlier this month, Payton signed a five-year contract with the Saints that will likely make him the league's highest-paid coach at more than $8 million a year, ESPN reports. Read These Next House overwhelmingly votes to release Epstein files. Trump implies tariff checks could arrive just before midterms. A spate of coverage suggests Trump's hold on the GOP is weakening. White House says 186K dead people are receiving SNAP benefits. Report an error