Broncos HoFer Goes to Bat for Sean Payton & Russell Wilson

The Denver Broncos head coach and quarterback received a massive vote of confidence from Hall-of-Famer Terrell Davis.

The 2022 NFL calendar year is officially in the books with the conclusion of Super Bowl LVII as the Kansas City Chiefs brought their third Lombardi Trophy back to Kansas City, much to the dismay of Denver Broncos fans.

While Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes and All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce continue their victory lap on late-night shows and new commercials, Broncos head coach Sean Payton is meticulously handpicking his coaching staff for the upcoming season. Both offensive and defensive coordinator positions remain vacant, although veteran candidates Rex Ryan and Vance Joseph recently interviewed with Payton and Denver’s front office.

As we await the completion of Payton’s new staff, Broncos Hall-of-Famer Terrell Davis gushed over Denver’s new head football coach.

“I’m 100 percent bought in on Sean Payton,” Davis said in an interview with TMZ Sports on Saturday. “I feel like bringing in somebody who’s been there, whose done that, and whose seen what an organization look like when its at its height, that was important. No other coach out there in my opinion has the experience like Sean Payton to look at a quarterback, evaluate them, work with him. I mean he’s worked with guys like Trevor Siemian, Jameis Winston, obviously Drew Brees for a very long time and Taysom Hill. Sean Payton to me, he already has built in equity. I’ve already seen what he can do with quarterbacks, which leads me to be very positive with what he can do with Russell Wilson.”

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When Hall-of-Famers talk, the rest of the world tends to listen, especially the diehard Orange and Blue faithful that watched Davis rush for thousands of yards for the back-to-back Super Bowl championship teams of 1997 and 1998. ‘TD’ was also the Broncos' first Super Bowl MVP (XXXII), and the next season, he became the NFL MVP after joining the 2,000-yard club. 

Unfortunately, an ACL and MCL tear forced Davis into early retirement, although he ended his NFL career with 7,607 yards and 60 touchdowns in seven NFL seasons. Since hanging up his cleats, the 50-year-old has worked for NFL Network as a correspondent and analyst, respected and revered around the league. 

However, No. 30 always keeps a close eye on his beloved Broncos, including the poor play from Russell Wilson, who threw for 3,524 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, with 11 interceptions in 15 games. Davis doesn't buy the 'Russ is washed' trope. 

“Russell is not broken; I hate that phrase. He’s not washed, he’s not broken,” Davis said via TMZ. “But obviously, when you have a surrounding support system that doesn't support what you do well, it will expose your flaws. This is not a knock on Nathaniel Hackett because I love him as a person, but he wasn’t ready for this job. So to get a coach that knows what he’s doing in there to work with Russell, it’s the right recipe and the right solution for what the Broncos need. It’s not going to take a whole lot trust me, for Sean Payton to work with Russ and get him back to a level that he’s accustomed to playing at and that we’re accustomed to watching. It’s not that complicated but this is definitely the right move for the Broncos.”

Wilson enters his 12th season in the NFL, while Payton dusts off his play-calling headset after being a FOX Sports analyst this last year. Both men were acquired via trade by Broncos GM George Paton, which makes the fan base expect an immediate return on investment.

As for Wilson’s personality and brand, which have clashed nationally and locally, Davis explained that the proof is in the pudding.

"Let's back off this a lil' bit and then let's go show them—and I don't mean on social media. Let's show them on the field,” Davis explained.

Davis is offering a Mile High Salute to the Broncos' new head coach and a vote of confidence in the veteran QB. 

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