ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Irate. Furious. Angry. Upset. Frustrated.
Those were a few of the emotions that Sean Payton displayed toward Russell Wilson on the sideline during a heated moment between the head coach and his quarterback during the Denver Broncos’ 42-17 loss to the Detroit Lions on Saturday night.
Unfortunately for Payton, Wilson and the Broncos, this interaction was caught on national television and, outside of the blowout loss, was the national storyline from the game.
Moments after the game wrapped up, Payton was asked about the interaction, in which the head coach was yelling at his quarterback on the sideline for many seconds following the team’s inability to score a touchdown on a goal-to-go situation.
“No, I was upset at the call,” Payton said postgame, when asked about it, instead directing his frustration to the offsides penalty by Quinn Meinerz which negated Michael Burton’s touchdown.
When pressed further about it postgame, Payton quickly stated: “Listen, what I talk with Russell about is none of your business.”
On Monday morning, after returning to Denver and having 36 to cool off, the head coach was asked if he had anything more to share about this heated interaction with Wilson.
“Nothing more to share,” Payton stated. “It’s certainly in-game intensity and heat of the moment, and all those things. Nothing more to add.”
There was, however, slightly more to share. And it benefited the Broncos’ franchise quarterback.
Since the moment became viral across the country, Payton was asked on Monday if he felt the need to address the situation with the team collectively or Wilson individually.
“Not at all,” Payton said. “First off, we haven’t had a team meeting and Russ and I have a great relationship. No, not at all.”
Despite Wilson having a five-year, $242 million contract from the Broncos, which technically kicks in next season, Payton has seemingly stayed away from going all-in on the 35-year-old quarterback.
His blowup on the sideline raised many questions — in fact even one directly to Wilson himself after the game — on if Payton believes in his quarterback. Payton attempted to put those questions to bed on Monday by stating the two have a “great relationship.”
Sitting at 7-7, the Broncos have three more games to attempt to make a playoff push. That’s what Payton’s got his eyes set on now.
“Focus on getting this next win because that’s really all that matters. It’s going to take three wins, but it starts with this week,” the head coach stated.
With the 25-point loss and sideline blowup in the rearview mirror, it’s on to New England for Sean Payton, Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos.
