The Denver Broncos made a franchise-altering decision earlier this week, benching quarterback Russell Wilson just two years after trading a massive haul to get him. In benching Wilson, the Broncos can now trade him this offseason without worrying about him suffering a long-term injury to end the 2023 campaign. Denver hired former Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean Payton to help right the ship, the second with Wilson under center. However, the Broncos are pacing to finish with a sixth straight losing season. NFL insider Ryan Clark took a shot at Payton during Friday’s episode of Get Up on ESPN, with two former Broncos defenders agreeing with his take.
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, Randy Gregory, Side with Ryan Clark
Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back and current ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark took center stage during a portion of the show Get Up, taking multiple shots at Denver Broncos bench boss Sean Payton. Ryan said, “Let’s hold Sean Payton to professional accountability. His behavior as the head coach of the Denver Broncos is unacceptable.”
Sean Payton made headlines during his first few weeks on the job, publically announcing how poorly his predecessor, Nathanial Hackett, did during his tenure as the Broncos head coach. Additionally, Payton disagreed with how quarterback Russell Wilson carried himself around the locker room. Payton has berated Wilson on the sidelines multiple times this season.
Former safety Kareem Jackson and defensive end Randy Gregory took to social media on Friday, letting their agreeance with Clark’s assessment of the situation be known. Jackson, who played with the Broncos from 2019 to 2023, posted a comment under a quote from Clark discussing his thoughts on Payton, saying, “Da truth RC.”
Randy Gregory followed suit, posting under Jackson’s comment and saying, “All facts.” Gregory played for Payton and the Broncos this season, tallying nine tackles and one sack with the club before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers. Jackson also played for the Broncos this season, being limited to eight games while dealing with suspensions for unnecessary roughness. The Broncos cut the long-time veteran earlier this week.
Denver Broncos: Likely Missing Playoffs in First Year of Sean Payton Era
The Denver Broncos hired Sean Payton to lead the charge in 2023 and the foreseeable future. However, his first year resulted in mediocre results, with the AFC West club entering Week 17 with a 7-8 record. Payton, the 2006 AP Coach of the Year, spent the 2022 season out of football but joined the Broncos after they parted ways with Nathanial Hackett after one season. Payton earned high marks as an NFL coach during his long tenure with the New Orleans Saints. The Saints won the Super Bowl in 2009 alongside future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees.
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