The Denver Broncos are finalizing a trade to acquire Sean Payton from the New Orleans Saints, clearing the way for him to become their next head coach. The Broncos fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett ahead of their Week 17 tilt with the Chiefs. They’ve had an exhaustive head-coaching search since the end of the 2022 NFL season, but some of their top candidates chose other options. Jim Harbaugh chose to remain in Michigan. Dan Quinn withdrew his name from the race to stay with the Dallas Cowboys. Demeco Ryans chose to become head coach of the Houston Texans instead of…