NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson made a rare cameo appearance during Sean Payton’s postgame news conference Saturday after Payton won his 100th game with the Saints (including the playoffs). At one point, Benson yelled, “Great coach! Great game!”

Payton was also awarded the game ball by general manager Mickey Loomis after the 31-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which redeemed one of New Orleans’ worst losses of the season from just two weeks earlier.

In other words, the Saints (7-8) weren’t acting like a team that believes it has grown too stale under Payton or is eager to trade him away.

And players insisted Saturday that they feel the exact opposite.

“There’s not a guy in this locker room that wants him to be out the door tomorrow. There’s just not. And I don’t think there’s a guy in the building that does,” said veteran offensive tackle Zach Strief, who readily admitted that fans might roll their eyes at any talk of progress or optimism after three straight seasons of 7-9, 7-9 and 7-8.

But like quarterback Drew Brees, Strief compared the current vibe to when the Saints went 7-9 and 8-8 in 2007 and 2008 before winning a Super Bowl.

“This is no different. This team is right there. You don’t just automatically get to get better because it’s the next season, but I think this group is close. And I think this nucleus is ready to make a leap,” Strief said. “So you don’t get rid of your Super Bowl-winning coach when that’s about to happen.”

Payton’s future with the Saints has again become a talking point because of recent reports that his interest might be piqued by the Los Angeles Rams’ coaching vacancy, among other possibilities.

But a source told ESPN on Saturday that the NFL Network’s report that “morale is lower than it has been in the past” is wrong. There is also no indication, as some have reported, that the Saints would accept less compensation for Payton than they would have accepted last year.

The Saints signed Payton to a five-year extension worth more than $9 million this past offseason. And they believe the team has made gradual progress this year while continuing to rebuild its young talent base.

“Man, there have been some really fun moments this season,” Brees said. “I’ve been a part of some great teams and some great locker rooms, and I would have to say that this locker room ranks way up there. We enjoy coming to work every day, and we enjoy being around each other.

“I know that we’ve had some tough moments this year that have prevented us from being in a playoff position. But I also believe that you go through a lot of those things for a reason, and that you learn along the way and it’s what enables you to have success in the future.

“I feel like we are right there, knocking on the door, and we’ve got a lot of the right pieces in place.”

The most promising components of the Saints’ season are the emergence of rookies such as receiver Michael Thomas and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, the continued dominance of Brees and the NFL's No. 1-ranked offense, and the improved play of their embattled defense under coordinator Dennis Allen.

The most frustrating parts are the inconsistency from week to week and all of the close losses -- six of them by six points or fewer, two that included blocked kicks returned for scores. Payton said you have to “earn those breaks” in the NFL, but he has been proud of the team’s resilience.

“I’m proud of how they prepare, and we’ve got some good, young players that I’m encouraged about, especially in the last few drafts,” said Payton, who credited the work of college and pro scouting directors Jeff Ireland and Terry Fontenot. “We’ve made a lot of changes with our personnel department, and we’ll continue to do that, and I think that’s helping us.”

Brees also spent extra time Saturday reflecting on his 11-year relationship with Payton, expressing his “love” and respect for him, when asked about that 100th victory.

“We’ve got a formula here; it works. And we’ve had some great seasons, great moments. And we’ve had some tough times and tough circumstances as well,” Brees said. “But I always feel like we have the ability to overcome that because of the program, the system that Sean Payton has put in place, and the fact that we all trust that and have so much confidence in that and him. We know each and every week he’s gonna put us in the best position to succeed, and we love him.

“We know it doesn’t last forever. But while we’re here, we’re gonna give it everything we’ve got. And I don’t think we’re close to being done. I feel like there’s a pinnacle that’s still out there for us.”