New Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos' Sean Payton responds to Terry Bradshaw comments about Kyler Murray

New Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has responded to a claim made by Terry Bradshaw, Payton's former colleague with Fox, about Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. 

"I like Kyler Murray," Payton insisted during an appearance on the FanDuel TV "Up and Adams" program, as shared by The Spun's Andrew Gould and Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "My son is his biggest fan."

Payton added that Murray is "extremely talented." 

Per Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports, Bradshaw generated headlines when he told Colorado radio station Altitude Sports 92.5 this week that Payton "didn't wanna work with" Murray and had "no choice" but to coach Denver signal-caller Russell Wilson. It was reported in January that Payton is a Murray "fan," but Pro Football Network draft analyst Tony Pauline said last week that coaching candidates weren't thrilled about potentially being "tied to" the 25-year-old and the five-year contract extension he signed last summer.

Payton stepped down as head coach of the New Orleans Saints in January 2022 and then spent this past season working as an analyst for Fox. He attempted to explain why Bradshaw made it sound like the coach may have settled for having Wilson as his QB1. 

"I think from Terry’s perspective, I know he would have felt better if I was coming back to Fox, so there wasn’t going to be anyone good enough, in his eyes, for me," Payton told Kay Adams. "He was going to look at it like, 'He’s not going there, he’s not going there, he’s not gonna go there.'" 

Payton also said that his "instincts were pushing me in a direction with Denver." 

The Cardinals are reportedly down to New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo as their finalists for their head-coach opening. It was reported on Wednesday that Arizona will wait until after Super Bowl LVII this Sunday to announce a decision. 

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