Thursday is “domecoming” day for Broncos coach Sean Payton.
Payton, now in his second season with Denver, returned to New Orleans tonight to face the Saints, his former team, on Thursday Night Football.
Fans at the Caesars Superdome welcomed Payton back with some boos when the Broncos took the field ahead of Thursday’s game:
Sean Payton and the Broncos catching some boo birds. @wdsu pic.twitter.com/AiATKliVQ9
— Sharief Ishaq (@ShariefWDSU) October 18, 2024
Sean Payton walks out to face his former team for the first time!#TNFonPrime pic.twitter.com/N1utGOcB8h
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) October 18, 2024
Admittedly, it was a somewhat muted response. Fans might have a bigger reaction when Payton is shown on the video board at halftime.
He’s on the tribute video at halftime. They’ll get their chance don’t worry. I been in here since noon I’ve seen the video lol
— Blain Sonnier (@BlainSonnier2) October 18, 2024
Payton, 61, won Super Bowl XLIV in New Orleans following the 2009 season, but he left the team in a salary cap mess when he stepped down in 2022. One year later, he returned to coaching and joined the Broncos.
Payton did not expect to receive a warm welcome on his return.
“I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of flowers and warm fuzzies for yours truly, and I get it,” Payton said earlier this week.
The Saints are honoring former quarterback Drew Brees at halftime of Thursday’s game after he was added to the team’s Hall of Fame. Brees’ ceremony was held earlier in the day and Payton surprised the QB by attending the ceremony before coaching on Thursday night.
Payton still has love for New Orleans — and deep down, they probably still love him, too — but they’re enemies in Week 7.
