NEW ORLEANS —

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton told players Tuesday that he is stepping down from coaching.

He will announce his retirement during a news conference at 3 p.m. ET.

Payton arrived at the franchise's lowest point, following Hurricane Katrina and a 2005 football season where the black and gold finished 3-13 overall.

From day one, Payton was all business.

"I want to build a consistent winner and I'm excited about being the coach of the Saints, I'm not sure I need to be the king of Mardi Gras, but I'm excited to be here," said Payton in 2006.

He would go on to quickly rebuild the Saints and lift the team to its greatest achievement, a championship in Super Bowl XLIV.

For 15 years Payton teamed with future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees to create one of the greatest offenses in league history.

An offensive innovator capable of drawing up plays no defense could stop, and a quarterback who could execute the game plan at a level that made the Saints historic.

"Fans waited 40 years for a winner and they not only got that, but they got one of the greatest offenses in NFL history, it's historic and will be remembered forever," Mike Triplett with ESPN said.

In 2016, Payton considered a change and had his representatives explore a move to another NFL team. In the end, Payton stayed in New Orleans saying in a 2016 interview, "leave early the hero or stay too long and become the villain. I'm fine with that, I'm staying until they chase me out of town with torches."

No one is doing that, Payton is simply riding his wagon away, taking a break from the sport he's coached for more than three decades.

Overall, Payton won 161 games, he was the 2006 NFL coach of the year and his crowning achievement was, of course, hoisting the Lombardi Trophy and helping the franchise and city rebuild.

ATLANTA (AP) — New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins is joining CNN as a contributor focusing on racial and social justice.

Malcom posted the news on Twitter.

"Proud to join the @CNN family today as a regular contributor," Malcolm tweeted. "Looking forward to being heard."

Jenkins says he believes he can "be a voice for other athlete activists and those who have dedicated their lives" to promoting equality through legislation and other reforms.

Jenkins is an 11-year NFL veteran out of Ohio State who has won Super Bowls with both New Orleans and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jenkins says his motivation to join CNN stems from his experience addressing inequalities in criminal justice and educational systems affecting members of "marginalized communities."