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While wrapping up his end-of-season press conference on Wednesday, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton indicated that the team is at a much better place now than it was a year ago.
“Obviously, we’re still not there yet, and yet we’re a lot closer than we were at this time a year ago. That was misery, sorrow, drudgery — give me some other adjectives there — just, gah. That was brutal. Let’s say that.”
In 2023, the Broncos were all but officially eliminated from playoff contention with a 26-23 home loss to the 4-10 New England Patriots on Christmas Eve. Denver was officially eliminated the following week.
Some Broncos fans on Twitter/X have inferred that Payton was referring to the Russell Wilson experience that season.
“Sean Payton HATED Russell Wilson,” @MeinerzMuse captioned a post sharing Payton’s comment.
Sean Payton HATED Russell Wilson
“It was miserable”
pic.twitter.com/tfbj6Xf49e
— Big Mike || Quinn Meinerz’s #1 Fan (@MeinerzMuse) January 15, 2025
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“That’s what Russ does to a team,” added @h00737062.
The clip has been dubbed an “instant classic” and “one of the funniest Broncos videos of all time,” but not everyone agrees that it was a direct reference to Wilson.
“Or maybe he’s just talking about how they barley missed the playoffs,” @JMurrayWrld chimed in.
Added @VisorPayton: “I think he’s implying to how the season ended. Which was Russ mainly. But ya lol.”
One fan tagged Richard Sherman in the post and apologized to him. Sherman has been outspoke in his criticism of his former teammate. Sherman appreciated the apology.
Well Thank you for that. Very kind of you
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) January 15, 2025
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Fans have compared Payton’s comments Wednesday to another viral Broncos press conference moment when ex-coach Vic Fangio wished Teddy Bridgewater a happy birthday but overlooked Drew Lock’s birthday on the same day.
May we never forget the time that Teddy Bridgewater & Drew Lock shared the same birthday but Vic Fangio only wished a happy bday to Teddy
pic.twitter.com/dPbW3IawD5
— Zach Bye (@byesline) November 29, 2022
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Regardless of whether Payton’s remark was a general comment on the end to the 2023 season or a reference to his old QB, it’s clear that the Broncos are better off now with Bo Nix than they were after last season.