Another terrible news hit: the head coach of Denver, Sean Payton, has sorrowfully news and announce his retirement
An explosive USA Today story headlined Sean Payton, brutally trashing the job Nathaniel Hackett did with the Denver Broncos in 2022.
Payton’s criticism of the current Broncos general manager and team president, Russell Wilson, for receiving special treatment was buried elsewhere.
Wilson wasn’t at fault, Payton said to USA Today. It was their parents who gave their consent. The head coach, the general manager (George Paton), the president (Damani Leech), and everyone else who witnessed it all are all implicated, not him.
Payton served as an assistant coach for the NFL prior to spending 15 seasons as the head coach. He is an intelligent man. It wasn’t coincidental that he began to flirt with veteran USA Today reporter Jarrett Bell. It’s no secret that Payton took offense at the 2022 Broncos, but it’s not as if he would openly discuss his reasons for taking aim at Hackett and other players with a national reporter. That would be counterproductive.
What then was the cause?
Sean Payton assumes the lead
Payton is concerned, if you believe Billy Turner, the offensive tackle for the New York Jets. Turner was supporting his coach, Hackett, who recently joined the Jets as offensive coordinator, following Payton’s statement that “it might have been one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL.” That is how awful it was.”
Turner wrote on Instagram, “Seems like someone started training camp and is trying to soften the blow after realizing what he’s in for this season.” “What a fucking bum. #Childish #BountyGate”
Coach Robert Saleh of the Jets responded as well, stating, “You ain’t popping if you ain’t got no haters.” Thus, put hate aside.”
Although it’s admirable that Turner is standing up for his coach, his justification is probably flawed.
Payton increased his expectations for this season after publicly criticizing the 2022 Broncos coaching staff and essentially absolving all of the players of any accountability. Who is responsible if the Broncos lose ten or more games again if all of the issues were caused by the coaching staff from the previous season—”20 dirty hands,” as Payton put it? That’s the coach for this year. Payton wouldn’t be telling people to blame everyone for the team’s shortcomings from the previous season if he was that concerned about the group he’s taking on.
Payton is not affected by the pressure. If things don’t improve, he has a strong track record and an ego that won’t be bothered by more attention directed towards him. Once more, Payton was fully aware of his actions when Bell activated his recorder.
Although there are a few more plausible interpretations for Payton’s message, one seems clear.
In an unexpected interview with USA Today, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton disparaged former Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett. (Image courtesy of Getty Images; photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post)
In an unexpected interview with USA Today, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton disparaged former Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett. (Image sourced from Getty Images by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post)
Payton defends Russell Wilson
The Broncos’ new coach was staking his claim when he took jabs at the team’s general manager, president, and even the team for giving too many interviews (“Spending so much [expletive] time trying to win the offseason,” Payton said). He was clearly stating that he was in charge.
Granting a fresh start to the players, and Wilson specifically, was presumably at the heart of the message.
Payton has given the players every reason to forget about last season. In the event that Hackett completes one of the “worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL,” the players won’t be held responsible for his actions. If you accept Payton’s explanation, the cause of the failure has vanished.
The squad that appeared strong on paper during the previous offseason is still in place, albeit with some upgrades thanks to free agency.
Wilson received a far more direct message. In ten seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson was selected to nine Pro Bowls. The previous season, he appeared utterly disoriented. Wilson’s contract and the draft capital lost to acquire him mean that the Broncos need him to turn things around, or else this will be a multi-year problem.
You’re curious about Payton’s thoughts on the frequently posed query, “Can Sean Payton fix Russell Wilson?” Here’s Payton’s opinion on the matter.
Russell wasn’t the only one. He wasn’t a flipper. “It’s still there,” Payton said to USA Today. “Is it true that he struck a wall? They couldn’t even get in a play, shoot.”
Words like that must strike a chord with Wilson, who undoubtedly needed a little confidence boost following his savage criticism during a terrible 2022 season.
It is rare to witness a coach disparage another coach. Payton’s accusation of those who remained inside the Broncos’ building was likely even more unusual. However, there was a purpose behind the fiery quotations.
Payton can now watch his team’s reaction. Most likely, that was the main idea.
