The on Tuesday to bring on Sean Payton as the team's head coach, ending one of the offseason's more interesting coaching searches.Ian Dwight Howard Jersey Rapoport of NFL.com reported the Broncos agreed to compensate New Orleans with a 2023 first-round draft pick, giving the Saints the No. 23 overall pick on top of an early pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Payton now will be tasked with improving a team that went 5-12 in 2021 under a struggling quarterback in Ru sell Wilson.However, Rapoport reported on Tuesday that Denver exhausted every other opportunity before finally agreeing to part ways with its draft capital to hire Payton:Unbelievable: The spent today trying to hire DeMeco Ryans AGAIN today before he recommitted to the , sources say. When he agreed to terms with the Texans, they moved and finalized Sean Payton. Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) MORE:That followed news on Monday that the 49ers defensive coordinator had informed the Broncos he was likely going to sign with the Texans, which drafted him 33rd overall in the 2006 NFL Draft and where he was a starter from 2006 through 2011. That clearly did not di suade Broncos owner and CEO Greg Penner from attempting to hire Ryans again.ESPN's Adam Schefter later contracted Rapoport, reporting the Broncos were zeroing in on Payton all day with no mention of Ryans:Timing of todays two hires was completely coincidental. Broncos were zeroed in on Sean Payton, and didnt make any contact this week with DeMeco Ryans or his agent. Denver was focused on Payton, and Houston on Ryans. Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) MORE: , "One source with knowledge of the situation described the report as a 'complete fabrication.' The source said that there has been no communication with Ryans or his agent, directly or indirectly Bradley Beal Jersey , since last week. Nothing through players, intermediaries, or back channels."Another facet of the Broncos' coach search timeline is Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, whom the team reportedly remained in contact with even after he announced his return to Michigan. Rapoport in a joint report with Tom Peli sero claimed Penner flew to Ann Arbor in the team's final stages of its coaching search to interview Harbaugh, even after he removed his name from consideration on Jan. 16.With that, The Sporting News looks at the coaching search timeline for the Broncos, from the firing of Nathaniel Hackett to Payton's hiring:MORE: Dec. 26, Washington Wizards Hoodie 2022: Broncos fire Nathaniel Hackett following a 4-11 start to the season. Jerry Rosburg is named interim coach for the team's remaining two games.Jan. 8, 2023: Broncos finish their season with a 31-28 victory over the Chargers, ending Rosburg's interim tenure with a 1-1 season. Denver finishes the season 5-12 overall and last in the AFC West.Jan. 9, 2023: Broncos virtually interview Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, roughly a week after Wolverines' season ends following College Football Playoff championship semifinal lo s to TCU.Jan. 10, 2023: Broncos interview in-house defensive coordinator Ejiro Eviro.Jan. 11, 2023: Broncos interview former Lions coach Jim Caldwell and recently retired Stanford coach David Shaw.Jan. 16, 2023: , seemingly ending any talks between him and Broncos.Jan. 17, 2023: Denver after having received permi sion from Saints. Schefter also reports the Broncos will interview Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris on the same day.Jan. 19, 2023: Ryans completes his first interview with the Broncos.Jan. 20, 2023: Denver conducts interview with Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn for the second time in as many seasons.Jan. 23, 2023: Broncos reportedly have after his initial Michael Jordan Jersey interview a week prior.Jan. 26, 2023: Quinn reportedly informs Broncos and other teams he will return to Dallas for 2023 season.Jan. 28, 2023: report Penner flew to Ann Arbor for in-person interview with Harbaugh after previously conducting a virtual interview. NFL.com reports the interview, conducted "this week," did not result in an offer from the Broncos to Harbaugh.Jan. 29, 2023: Denver Eviro, Caldwell, Shaw and Morris they are no longer in consideration to coach the team.Jan. 30, 2023: Ryans reportedly informs Broncos he is focusing on coaching Texans, who announce his hiring the next day. Reports indicate neither Ryans nor his agent formally removed his name from consideration.Jan. 31, 2023: Saints and Texans announce the hirings of Payton and Ryans, respectively. Rapoport reports Denver attempted to persuade Ryans to become its Raul Neto Jersey coach, only signing Payton after the former had agreed to terms with Houston. Schefter follows up with a claiming the timing of the hirings is coincidental.The last few weeks: Zeroed in on DeMeco Ryans. Secretly tried to lure Jim Harbaugh from Michigan. Negotiated a Sean Payton deal. Tried to hire Ryans again. Finalized the hire of Payton as their new coach. Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) Either way, one of the most exhaustive coaching searches of the NFL offseason is complete. Whether the Broncos got their preferred coach remains uncertain.