NY Jets OL hits back with expletive laden words after Sean Payton criticism

However, New York Jets offensive tackle Billy Turner, a friend of Hackett’s and a member of the Broncos’ staff last year, disagreed with the former New Orleans Saints coach’s opinion of the Jets offensive coordinator.

“Sounds like someone started training camp and is trying to soften the blow after realizing what awaits him this season,” Turner said in an Instagram story with Payton’s quote. “(Expletive) bum.” He ended the post with #BountyGate.

Payton was suspended for the 2012 season after the NFL found him responsible for the Saints’ bounty program, in which defenders received bonuses for harder hits and for injuring targeted players.

Turner and Hackett worked together at the Green Bay Packers, with the latter serving as offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2021. After Hackett received his first head coaching job with the Broncos, the offensive lineman signed with Denver as a free agent. He previously played with the Broncos from 2016 to 2018 and said he returned to the Mile High City because of his connection with the new head coach.

“I consider Hackett one of my best friends. I love him as a friend,” Turner told 9News last spring. “I know his wife and his kids and I adore all of them. They are some of the best people in the world. Not just in soccer. They’re people you get to know in life. Hackett is one of the best people I’ve ever met, soccer or not. I’ve talked to him about everything.”

Jets head coach Robert Saleh took issue with Payton’s comments about his offensive coordinator, telling reporters at training camp, “What we have here is this: ‘If you don’t have people hating you, you’re not in your prime.’ So don’t hate.”