Giving Broncos’ Starters Preseason Snaps Is Another of Sean Payton’s Changes

The coach’s words have gotten him in trouble, but Broncos players are publicly buying into his culture change.

Perhaps Sean Payton wasn’t trying to be funny, but he drew plenty of laughs Wednesday for his ironic response to a reporter who asked whether players get bothered by unofficial depth charts.

“Well, it becomes more public and it’s in print and all that,” a reporter replied after Payton downplayed the situation.

“Yeah, I guess so,” the Broncos’ new coach said.

Cue the laugh track from a ’90s sitcom.

Payton has made plenty of news in his first offseason as Broncos coach :: Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports

Payton knows plenty about controversial items becoming public. He received backlash last month for taking shots at former Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett in a poor attempt to defend his new quarterback Russell Wilson during a candid interview with USA Today.

Payton also created headlines this week for his unique preseason rules for his Broncos players, which includes no sunglasses or “Gilligan” hats on the sidelines. For the less wacky rules: Players can’t take off their uniforms, and they can’t do in-game interviews after they’re pulled from exhibition games.

“All of a sudden, that made national news,” Payton said. “I said it last night, it may not be the most important game for a handful of players, but in some cases, it’s the most important game in some player’s life. Just that respect for the game, we’re into the game, we’re paying attention to who’s in, and I think that’s really important. Whoever is in the game, you’re helping them when they come off to the sideline. A lot of young players, some of them their first game.”

Payton’s poor words and silly “no bucket hats” rule have overshadowed his first training camp in Denver, but players seem to have responded positively to his no-nonsense culture. Many established veterans have been O.K. with Payton’s decision to play the starters in the preseason, at least publicly.

We’ll get a glimpse Friday of the new Payton-Wilson partnership during the Broncos’ preseason opener in Arizona. Wilson and the rest of the first-team offense didn’t participate in the preseason last season under the watch of Hackett, which might have been one of many reasons the offense struggled mightily throughout the 2022 season.

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For the past week, Wilson has been sharp in training camp, displaying strong connections with wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. Now the next step is for Wilson to run an efficient offense for the handful of snaps the starters will receive Friday versus the Cardinals.

“Clean executing, timing, moving the ball and giving yourself a chance to score,” Payton said for what he wants to see from his starting offense in the preseason.

“I’m a little bit more making sure we’re progressing as a team,” the coach said. “I’ve said this before, there are always ebbs and flows to this training camp, defense and offense, and having success offensively is important because you gain that confidence that maybe you need.”

Payton also said it’s critical for him to establish a connection with Wilson when it comes to communicating plays on game days.

“Ninety percent of the errors come from the senator, so I’m the senator,” Payton, 59, said. “My eyes aren’t getting any better, but it’s important that I’m quick, or if Joe’s [offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi] calling it. It’s quick and efficient.”

Preseason games are often dull football exhibitions filled with mistakes—that can also be a summary of the Broncos’ offense during the 2022 regular season. But there’s plenty of intrigue and promise for Payton’s first preseason action with Wilson and the Broncos.