Sean Payton talked all that smack about Nathaniel Hackett in the offseason, in turn making it clear his version of the Denver Broncos would be better. After all, he was the “brilliant” coach with a Super Bowl ring. Payton’s team couldn’t possibly be worse than the guy who presided over the worst season of Russell Wilson’s NFL career. Right?
About that.
Through five games in 2023, Payton’s iteration is 1-4. Through five games in 2022, Hackett’s Broncos were 2-3. Even if Denver might, theoretically, be better in places (like on offense), there’s nothing meaningful to suggest that Payton is doing any better of a coaching job than Hackett, the now offensive coordinator for the New York Jets. What a coincidence that the two teams had the pleasure of meeting in Denver on Sunday. And what a dream for those of us fond of drama after the Jets’ 31-21 win.
With how the Jets conducted themselves in the pregame and how they congratulated Hackett afterward, you could tell that Payton’s trash talk was stuck in their craw. They weren’t about to let him disrespect their offensive coordinator and get a win. (Note: Payton’s offense had three turnovers, including a game-clinching fumble-return score by Bryce Hall in the final moments.) If Payton has any more meaningful criticisms of Denver or anyone at the helm in the past, I would advise holding off for now.
His team is 1-4, and the heat is assuredly on. The question isn’t about the terrible job Hackett did with Denver anymore. It’s about Payton taking a lesson in humility while trying to dig out of an impossible hole the rest of the way. No one will care about who Payton deflects to until (or if) the Broncos start winning more often. Perhaps he should’ve kept quiet about the Jets and Hackett until he actually achieved something in Denver.
Oh, well!
Elsewhere in For The Win’s Week 5 NFL awards, the Vikings’ trickery had to make up for their trademark fumble issues. Meanwhile, Tony Romo was a tad overdramatic talking about what might have happened to Travis Kelce.