Fellow NFL coach: Broncos getting 'best version' of Sean Payton

A fellow NFL head coach believes new Denver HC Sean Payton sustained his winning acumen even after a yearlong sabbatical at Fox Sports.

"You're about to get the best product or the best version you've seen of him in a while," the Lions' Dan Campbell, a former assistant and player for Payton, said at the annual NFL owners meeting earlier this week.

Payton was outstanding in New Orleans. He led the Saints to their first Super Bowl victory, went 152-89 in 15 seasons and devised an offense that holds the NFL record for most yards (7,474 yards) in a season.

That's good news for fans of the Broncos, who dealt two draft picks (a 2023 first-rounder and a 2024 second-rounder) to acquire Payton from New Orleans. (He was still under contract to the Saints.)

The Broncos desperately need a head coach who can build a winning foundation. Since winning Super Bowl 50, Denver has missed the playoffs seven consecutive seasons — the league's second-longest drought.

Last season was the low point. Denver had high expectations after it traded for former Seattle star QB Russell Wilson, but the dream season turned into a nightmare.

The Broncos went 5-12, Wilson recorded a career low in passing TDs (16) and they fired rookie HC Nathaniel Hackett after 15 games.

In a Tuesday news conference, Broncos owner Greg Penner implied Payton would end the disarray, saying, "He's brought a different tone" to the organization.