It turns out the New Orleans Saints are indeed interested in Johnny Manziel, at the very least, gauging his progress in his return attempt to the NFL.

Saints head coach Sean Payton recently confirmed his meeting with the former Texas A&M superstar to Pro Football Talk‘s Mike Florio but it appears New Orleans’ interest is very preliminary at the moment. In the interview, Payton mentioned his unique connection to Manziel, as both have been forced to step away from the NFL for a season for different reasons.

“This is the time of the season — the news part of it is always challenging,” Payton said to Florio. “I met with (Manziel) down in Houston; I had not met with him during the evaluation process. He came out in 2012, and that was the year I was suspended. So, being at the Super Bowl for three days — in the morning we had breakfast, and I wanted to get an idea about this player. He’s got a handful of things that he’s working on with the league office. So, there’s nothing as a club that we’re doing right now. It was an informative meeting for me just to know the player.

“So, being at the Super Bowl for three days — in the morning we had breakfast, and I wanted to get an idea about this player. He’s got a handful of things that he’s working on with the league office. So, there’s nothing as a club that we’re doing right now. It was an informative meeting for me just to know the player.

“I watched his season take place being in Dallas at the time and watched, really, the team catch fire and all the things he did at A&M, and of course, I’ve followed his career. So, it was a breakfast that was really a chance to get the know the player.”

While the thought of adding such a unique talent to his roster may entice Payton, he understands that Manziel is a slip up away from completely ruining any chance at a comeback. Florio asked the Saints coach how the troubled Manziel could convince a team to take a chance on him.

“It’s a good question,” Payton answered. “I think it will generally be a clean, quiet no track record —probably a tryout-type of opportunity. I’m not saying that’s what we’re doing, but I think if it happens, there’s some steps that he’s going to have to take also that — just with the league — to be in a position to play.”

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