Did Broncos Coach Sean Payton Discretely Take A Shot At Russell Wilson?

It seems as if Denver Broncos head coach may still be a little salty about how things went with former quarterback Russell Wilson last season.

While Payton didn’t directly come right out and throw Wilson under the bus, Payton certainly didn’t pass up an opportunity to take a jab at his former QB while masking it under the guise of a compliment about rookie Bo Nix’s pocket presence.

“I used to say this all the time: The sack numbers are a reflection more on the quarterback than the offensive line,” Payton said. “(Drew) Brees was one of those guys, he was a tough sack. The ball came out, and I think Bo has traits like that.”

One can’t help but wonder if those remarks were Payton’s way of calling Wilson out for his 45 sacks taken last season, which were the fourth most in the NFL.

Though Payton wasn’t the Broncos head coach in 2022, Wilson led the NFL with 55 sacks that year, and his 100 sacks taken over the last two years is also the most of any QB to start 20 or more games.

Despite Wilson having moved on and competing for the starting job in Pittsburgh, it seems hard feelings may still be lingering in Denver about the way his underwhelming two-year stint with the team ended.

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