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Broncos' Sean Payton Addresses Chiefs Referee Narrative

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Davis | Last updated Feb 13, 2025 1:30 PM ET

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton didn't like the first result for his team against the Kansas City Chiefs last season, but he's not jumping on the Chiefs benefitting from referees theory either.

“Ehh, I don’t — I don’t think that’s a narrative we’re frustrated with,” Payton told Kay Adams during the Up & Adams Show on Feb. 5. “The narrative our league is frustrated with is, has officiating kept up with the pace of play? … I don’t subscribe to that (the Chiefs getting calls) at all. I think they’ve earned everything they’ve gotten.”

The Chiefs went 15-2 and reached the Super Bowl but got walloped 40-22 by the Philadelphia Eagles. Kansas City had seven penalties for 75 yards lost while the Eagles had eight penalties for 59 yards lost.

In the Broncos' case, the first meeting between the two came down to a field goal, which the Chiefs blocked to beat Denver 16-14 in Week 10. It was a moment that Payton said "felt sick watching" but took the blame for it in a November 2024 press conference.

Referees also didn't play a deciding factor in the Week 18 game between the Broncos and Chiefs. Kansas City, owning the number one seed in the AFC and resting starters, did that instead as the Broncos steamrolled the Chiefs' second-string players 38-0.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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