Ex-teammate questions relationship between Broncos' Russell Wilson, Sean Payton

Former Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright suggested the experiment involving quarterback Russell Wilson and head coach Sean Payton could end poorly for the Denver Broncos.

"I heard how he runs his meetings," Wright said about Payton during an NFL Network appearance, per Jaclyn Hendricks of the New York Post. "After a loss, if you played bad, Sean Payton will let you know loud and clear how he feels about you. And that’s the question, can Russ handle the critiqueness, the harshness, the, 'Hey, you got to get better and I’m calling you out in front of this entire football team.' I’m sure (former Denver head coach) Nathaniel Hackett wasn’t a Sean Payton-type personality."

Wright, like Wilson, spent the majority of his NFL career playing under Seattle's Pete Carroll, and the retired defensive star indicated Carroll took care of Wilson in a way Payton won't throughout the upcoming season. 

"This is going to be a sight to see because when he was in Seattle for those 10 years, coach Carroll did a good job of, I’m not going to say protecting Russ, but he really just shielded him in a way, like, 'Hey, the defense is going to be the lead dog, you’re going to hand the ball off to [former Seahawks running back] Marshawn Lynch,'" Wright said.

While Wilson and the Broncos agreed to a five-year extension reportedly worth $245M with $165M guaranteed late last summer, it's thought Payton won't hesitate to push the 34-year-old out the door next winter and could even play backup Jarrett Stidham if Wilson doesn't return to the form that made him a nine-time Pro Bowl selection. 

According to ESPN stats, Wilson ended his first season with the Broncos ranked 27th among qualified players with a 36.7 adjusted QBR and 31st with a 60.5% completion percentage. He recorded 16 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions across 15 games. 

Wilson noted on Thursday he's in great shape and "lean and mean" amid voluntary organized team activities. That's a good start as he looks to prove to Payton he's not past his prime.