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Denver Broncos Sean Payton Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos head coach Sean Payton reveals what he's not afraid of

By Tommy Fradenburg | Last updated 8/7/23

After missing out on four-time MVP QB Aaron Rodgers despite bringing in Nathaniel Hackett as head coach to lure him there in 2022, the Denver Broncos pivoted to another former Super Bowl champion to revive a floundering franchise.

The pairing of Hackett and longtime Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson resulted in a 5-12 season, with the Broncos firing Hackett after a 51-14 Christmas Day demolition at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams (who finished with the same record).

This offseason, Denver brought in former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton to help Wilson and an offense that scored the fewest points per game last season. With a healthy WR duo of Jerry Jeudy and Cortland Sutton, plus Payton's pedigree of offensive excellence, there was already plenty of scrutiny on Denver and its $242 million quarterback.

Then Payton shared his controversial two cents on the previous regime.

Update: New #Broncos coach Sean Payton opens up about how badly he thinks the 2022 Broncos were coached, via @JarrettBell

“They can only beat the (expletive) out of you so much. But everybody’s got a little stink on their hands. It’s not just Russell. It was a (poor) offensive… pic.twitter.com/nTeCjabPYA
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 27, 2023

These comments, which upset many in the NFL, heaped more pressure on a team looking to make the playoffs for the first time since winning Super Bowl 50. Payton addressed that pressure when talking to ESPN's Jeff Legwold.

"I'm not afraid of the expectations," Payton said of his team led by a 34-year-old quarterback with the lowest completion percentage of his career in 2022. "That mindset needs to be present here. I see this as a team with ability. It's our job to bring that out of them."

"The Sean Payton Nathaniel Hackett comments came out of nowhere and Hackett was fired up" ~ @diannaESPN #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/m9Y7JbD20i
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 3, 2023

The biggest question mark for the organization is undoubtedly Wilson.

His 16 passing touchdowns in 2022 were a career worst, and his 11 interceptions were tied for the second most in his career. More concerning, Wilson's 2021 completion rate and passing touchdowns already dropped markedly from 2020, making 2022 a potential trend.

Meanwhile, Seahawks HC Pete Carroll and QB Geno Smith surpassed expectations in Seattle's first post-Wilson season, raising the question of if Wilson himself is the problem.

While they will be without WR Tim Patrick for the second straight year due to injury and WR KJ Hamler is out for the foreseeable future with pericarditis, per ESPN, top receivers Jeudy and Sutton both bring back big-play ability demonstrated by their 13-plus yards per reception and combining for eight of the team's 18 receiving touchdowns.

The Broncos also bring back third-year running back Javonte Williams, who showed promise in four games last year following a rookie season in which he had 1,219 yards from scrimmage before tearing both his ACL and LCL and added another weapon for Wilson in Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims in the second round of the NFL Draft.

Paired with a solid defense, Denver has the pieces to compete for a wild-card spot in the AFC. While Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes and Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert will make it difficult for the Broncos to win an AFC West title, if Payton can get Wilson back to Pro Bowl form, few teams will want to face Denver in the postaseason.

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