Sean Payton’s Blunt Message for Russell Wilson After Awful ’22 Season: ‘Stop Kissing Babies’

The Denver Broncos’ new coach is focused on resurrecting the performance of his star quarterback.

After a disappointing 2022, the Broncos hired offensive guru Sean Payton as coach in hopes of getting quarterback Russell Wilson back to a Pro Bowl-level of performance. Last season, Wilson threw a career-low 16 touchdown passes and wasn’t named to the Pro Bowl for only the second time in 11 NFL seasons.

While Wilson’s play needs work, Payton is also focusing on changing the quarterback’s approach to the game. Specifically, Payton believes Wilson was too focused on his brand last year and needs to get back to focusing on football, according to ESPN’s Seth Wickersham.

In a story published Tuesday, Wickersham mentions a blunt piece of criticism that Payton gave Wilson to sum up what needs to change.

“Will you f—ing stop kissing all the babies?” Payton reportedly told Wilson. “You’re not running for public office.”

Broncos head coach Sean Payton is entering his first season with Denver. He coached the Saints from 2006 through ’21 and worked as a television analyst in ’22 :: Kyle Terada/USA Today network

Denver gave Wilson a huge extension just before the ’22 season, which makes it difficult for the team to move on from Wilson if he continues to struggle.

Payton has a lot on his plate entering 2023, as Denver won just five games last season. Seemingly, he will be focused on Wilson, as the team aims for the playoffs in a competitive AFC West.