Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Pair of former Broncos defenders respond to Sean Payton criticism

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 12/30/23

NFL analyst and former Pro Bowl defensive back Ryan Clark blasted Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton during Friday's episode of "Get Up" on ESPN.

Among other things, Clark said that Payton has "behaved as a thug" since taking over in the Mile High City. The longtime member of the Pittsburgh Steelers added that Payton's "behavior" has been "unacceptable" as the Broncos head coach.

There are at least two players who recently suited up in Denver under Payton who seem to agree with Clark's words.

.@Realrclark25 had this to say about Sean Payton in Denver. pic.twitter.com/WyAKDi5IJz
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) December 29, 2023

Former #Broncos S Kareem Jackson and DE Randy Gregory chime in on Sean Payton.... pic.twitter.com/uIdOC3yrYH
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 29, 2023

Kareem Jackson signed a three-year deal with the Broncos in March 2019 after spending the first nine seasons of his career with the Houston Texans. Jackson re-upped with Denver on one-year pacts in March 2021, April 2022 and this past May, but his 2023 campaign has been marred by a host of fines, ejections and suspensions due to dirty hits.

The 35-year-old defensive back was waived by the Broncos on Monday and claimed by the Houston Texans on Tuesday.

Randy Gregory was with the Dallas Cowboys for the first six years of his career from 2015-2021, a tenure that included multiple suspensions for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The 31-year-old nearly extended his stay in Dallas but ultimately signed a five-year, $70 million contract with Denver in March 2022.

Gregory ended up playing just 10 games with the Broncos but still made "roughly" $27.5M. During his ineffective stint, Gregory recorded only 27 quarterback pressures, equaling approximately $1M per pressure.

It was initially reported that he was released by Denver in early October, but the franchise ultimately traded him to the San Francisco 49ers.

More must-reads: