Broncos coach Sean Payton regrets Nathaniel Hackett barbs
Englewood, Colo. "I need a little bit more filter" when questioned about the team's 2022 performance, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton stated.
In an interview with USA Today earlier this week, Payton called Hackett's 15-game run with the Broncos "one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL"
and said there were "20 dirty hands" around quarterback Russell Wilson's career-worst season, which included 16 touchdown passes and a league-high 55 sacks.
Payton also compared the Broncos' handling of Wilson's high-profile entrance to the Jets' "pomp and circumstance" with Aaron Rodgers.
After Friday's training camp practice, Payton apologized and said he will contact Jets offensive coordinator Hackett and coach Robert Saleh.
"Listen, I had one of those moments where I still had my Fox [network television] hat on and not my coaching hat on," Payton acknowledged Friday.
"I told the team: We've had a terrific offseason, I've been preaching that message, and here I am the veteran stepping in it. I learned from my error.
In February, Payton was named the Broncos' head coach after Hackett was sacked after 15 games. Fox Sports analyst, he did not coach last season.
On Friday, Payton addressed allegations of Broncos general manager George Paton, team president Damani Leech, and the media relations staff.
"Oh, man, there's so much dirt around that," Payton told USA Today of Wilson's troubles. The training and conference rooms allowed 20 unclean hands.