METAIRIE, La. — Shortly after a much-needed 35-32 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton used part of his postgame news conference to shoot down national reports about a supposed rift with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

It started with a report by CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora that said a rift between Payton and Ryan, who is in his second season with the team, is so deep that it could result in Ryan’s departure this offseason.

“It’s been outstanding,” Payton said about his relationship with Ryan, whose unit has dropped to near the bottom of the league in total yards allowed after finishing fourth a year ago.

Growing impatient talking about “splash reports” that are plastered all over every network on Sunday mornings, Payton unloaded on La Canfora’s report that was based on “several animated sideline discussions” between Payton and Ryan that have been caught by TV cameras.

La Canfora attributed the information to anonymous sources and said it had been “privately acknowledged within the team’s headquarters that the men strongly dislike each other and a change is inevitable this offseason.”

“Jason gets his information from an old defensive coordinator,” said Payton, who didn’t say whether it is one of his three former defensive bosses — Gary Gibbs, Gregg Williams or Steve Spagnuolo.

“(Ryan) and I get along and are doing great. (I love) his toughness and passion — he’s (at the office) till the crickets are gone. It’s hard when you’re not winning in this league, but I love what he’s doing.”

Payton and Ryan were seen jawing with each other again Sunday after the Saints were penalized for having 12 defenders on the field with the Steelers at the Saints’ 1-yard line in the third quarter.

“That’s me, man!” Payton told reporters. “That’s just me being fired up. … Yeah, I get upset when there are 12 guys on the field. It doesn’t mean I’m looking for another defensive coach. I’m going to be upset again — you’re going to see more clips of it.”

Payton said he got upset with special teams coordinator Greg McMahon when the Saints took a timeout before a kick in the fourth quarter and has on occasion spoken sternly to players. But he said those aren’t caught by television cameras because they don’t involve Ryan.

Payton also bristled after asking reporters in the room about what other “splash reports” were out there Sunday

There was a report by ESPN that the Saints were interested in running back Ray Rice and another on the NFL Network saying the team will likely draft Drew Brees’ successor this offseason.

Taking the reports one by one, Payton said he’s happy with his depth at running back, but didn’t answer the question about Brees, who threw for five touchdowns in the win over the Steelers, saying, “Is this where we’re at? Is anybody going to ask about the Steelers?” before moving on.