Russell Wilson has had some tough opponents this season, but none have been tougher than his head coach, Sean Payton, at least in the opinion of former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III.
After hearing that Wilson, 35, would sit out the Broncos’ final two games for Jarrett Stidham, Griffin criticized Payton, 59, for not supporting his quarterback.
“Russell Wilson’s biggest opponent this season is Sean Payton,”
ESPN analyst RGIII wrote on the X Post on Wednesday.
Payton and Wilson have been under scrutiny all year since the former Saints coach took over in Denver. Questions about the pair’s relationship arose after Payton was caught yelling at Wilson during the Broncos’ 42-17 loss to the Lions on Dec. 12. 16.
Sean Payton has been doing Russell Wilson dirty since the moment he became the Head Coach of the Denver Broncos. Hasn’t once shown him the respect he has earned as a Super Bowl Winning QB or with the respect you show to a QB your organization traded the farm for. https://t.co/558aTY3263
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 28, 2023
Wilson and Payton dodged questions about the incident, noting it was the second straight week the coach had more interaction with the QB.
The Broncos are still in the playoff race (8% chance to make the postseason), but there will be plenty of questions about Wilson and the organization after this time. On Wednesday, Payton acknowledged that such questions would arise, but said the move was because the Broncos were determined to win.
But the decision to ban Wilson will save Denver from serious injury if that happens while considering the Broncos’ future.
#Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton on benching #RussellWilson and why he made the move pic.twitter.com/3GhqUBqYvu
— Nick Ferguson (@NickFerguson_25) December 27, 2023
Wilson arrived in Denver via trade from Seattle in March 2022 and had a poor first year, firing then-coach Nathaniel Hackett before the end of the season.
The Denver Broncos have had a terrible start to the season. Although the team did not perform well, Wilson worked hard. With three games left in the regular season, teams are working hard to improve their playoffs.
So, according to Robert Griffin III, Payton should thank superstar quarterback Russell Wilson. In the match against the Lions last week, the team was called the worst in the match against the Broncos.
Sean Payton embarrassed Russell Wilson in front of the world and showed his team that @DangeRussWilson is not his guy by going after him on the sideline. @SeanPayton should publicly apologize to his QB and show he has his back.
Full convo here 👉🏾 https://t.co/aABpsjtr0J pic.twitter.com/CqU2tlyYrx
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 21, 2023
When the media asked Payton about his comments to the QB, Payton replied,
“Listen, what I’m talking about with Russell is none of your business,”
RG3 agreed with this sentiment, but said, ”
“I have to do that,”
he said.
Retired QB RG3 also said,
“Sean Payton should come out publicly in the media and apologize to Russell Wilson.”
The apology was simple, as he said,
“He (Payton) needs to show unity in this playoff run to get the QB’s support.”
We will defend ourselves to secure a spot in the playoffs. With a 7-7 record, the Broncos have already conceded their first playoff spot in the AFC West to the Chiefs.
Their only hope is to advance to the wild card game of the playoffs. The Broncos currently have a 28% chance of making the playoffs. If he loses, his chances of winning will be less than 5%.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton threw a tantrum last Saturday while quarterback Russell Wilson was on the sideline.
While the Broncos’ 42-17 loss to the Detroit Lions wasn’t the result the Denver organization expected, Wilson’s public outburst highlights the two’s on-field chemistry since the start of the 2023 NFL season.
This fueled rumors that were circulating about the issue. While some analysts are brushing this heated sideline controversy under the surface, ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III expressed displeasure at Payton’s disrespectful attitude toward Wilson.
The Broncos were called for offensive offsides, wiping out a TD on 4th-and-goal.
Sean Payton was livid at the officials… and Denver QB Russell Wilson.
"Well, there is a very animated discussion. I'd say it's a one-sided discussion with his quarterback." – Kevin Harlan pic.twitter.com/k9KKcoSain
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 17, 2023
“Sean Payton as a coach: If you don’t want people to ask you that question, you can’t do that to a quarterback on the sideline. The only reason I feel this way is because this is like Sean Payton’s second or third job with Russell, and to me, the guy just doesn’t seem… right To me, he said that time, ‘You’re not my friend, I don’t respect you, I don’t like you,'”
explained Griffin III on the latest episode of “RG3” and “The Ones.”
Sean Payton’s performance on the sideline shows the Broncos’ inability to stay consistent The Broncos are now 7-7 after a tough loss to the Lions.
Frustration in the locker room is justified, especially for a team that should compete for a Super Bowl after breaking through in 2022 to deliver Super Bowl wins to Payton and Wilson.
The Broncos are facing another down season as they are far from the top. There is still a long way to go before locking up a playoff spot this year.
#Broncos HC Sean Payton on cameras catching him yelling at Russell Wilson:
"What I talk with Russell about is none of your business."pic.twitter.com/d76vfAmgkC
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 17, 2023
The former Washington Commanders linebacker believes Payton is to blame for his actions on the sideline and should apologize to Wilson.
He embarrassed his quarterback on the sideline, and I think now the rest of the team looked at that moment like “Damn, Sean Payton can’t play Russell Rock ‘n’ Roll with Wilson.”
“I think Russell handled it well…but I think Sean Payton should give Russell Wilson credit in the press.”
Fans reacted as follows:
To be fair, Wilson was already showing regression his last year in Seattle posting his lowest QBR, RTG, TD, Passing Yards, and completion % versus his previous 3 years before that.
So the fact the @Broncos even gave up the farm for a then 33 year old showing regression was nuts
— Luis Valles (@luisvalles7) December 28, 2023
He is the head coach it is his ship to burn. Not what I would do but his legacy is on the line not ours.
— Chris Maddock (@CincyMaddog) December 28, 2023
Wilson wasn't the problem. It's Sean's decisions. Wilson played geeat in the 4th qtr against the Pats. If Sean kicked FG in 1st qtr Den wins. Before that, it was GARBAGE play calling. If Wilson was the problem and IF they really wanted to win, they would have benched him sooner.
— Ed Valdez (@EdValde30712280) December 27, 2023
#Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton on benching #RussellWilson and why he made the move pic.twitter.com/3GhqUBqYvu
— Nick Ferguson (@NickFerguson_25) December 27, 2023
Russell Wilson will finish the season with a stat line of:
3,070 Yards
28 TDS
8 INTS
66.4 Completion %
98.0 Passer RatingIn comparison to MVP favorite Lamar Jackson stats of:
3,357 Yards
19 TDS
7 INTS
66.3 Completion %
97.2 Passer Rating— Gknows (@Gknowsreal) December 27, 2023
I think Sean Payton embarrassed himself. Russell was like wtf, this old man be barking.
— buddy (@i_shortman) December 21, 2023
Honestly could you see Russ wearing the black and gold next year?. To me it makes sense if Broncos go in another direction which is possible than I can’t imagine the Steelers pass up on trading for Russ.
— M. (@SCity440) December 21, 2023
Sean Payton is an embarrassment as a coach. He allowed "Bountygate" to happen in New Orleans, openly mocked Vikings fans before his team choked away a sure victory, and publicly humiliates players he doesn't like because he thinks its a reflection on HIM when they mess up. It's…
— DaeguDave (@DaeguDave) December 26, 2023
He must of been yelling at Russ for starting the next play too quickly and in result they didn’t have enough time to see if they should challenge that’s the only possible thing he could of been upset at Russ
— Ricky Vaughn Karcher (@sadcincysports) December 17, 2023
They only called this and will continue to call them to make it seem like the one against the chiefs wasn't egregious. going to start calling it more now too like hey see we always called it, even on touchdowns see! They needed the bills to win and continue hype over winning out
— Girth, Wind & Fire (@rvndybob) December 17, 2023
Disrespecting ur qb on national tv for no reason
— Shadow (@FeelLikeMafe) December 17, 2023
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