Theoretically, with 10 games remaining, the Denver Broncos can still make something of the 2023 season. There’s no need to punt away what is a long grind of a year. In reality, after defeating the Green Bay Packers 19-17 on Sunday, a mediocre Denver team is just 2-5. It is fighting uphill to even just sneak into the AFC playoff field.
Try as he might deny it, Sean Payton understands the tall odds facing his team. And he probably knows that the Broncos got very lucky to escape a fellow middling Packers team.
On Monday, according to Mike Klis of Denver’s 9NEWS, Payton said Denver’s victory seemingly only frustrated him. While heading home, he drove around for sushi — which he doesn’t even like — and eventually found he was circling the parking lot because he wasn’t happy with the Broncos’ first home win of the 2023 season:
Sean Payton today: “That was a good win for us and yet I’m driving home last night, heading to get sushi – I don’t like sushi – and finding myself circling around the parking lot, “Why can’t I be happy?’ Well you’re searching for that perfect game. I’m just that way.'' #9sports
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) October 23, 2023
Payton would later follow up that he was picking up sushi for his family to celebrate. But that still doesn’t change how he aimlessly drove around for a bit beforehand, thanks to the Broncos’ mediocrity:
There was a follow up. Payton: “I’m a good team player here. My wife likes it, my kids like it. Everyone in the party likes it. So I’m a team player. The nice thing is it was the first time we were going out to celebrate at home after a win at home. So that was good.’’ https://t.co/KUBgWTiqEu
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) October 23, 2023
Who among us hasn’t been there? The Insert Team we love and devote so much of our weekend time to only serves as a consistent point of frustration. So, in response, we randomly drive or walk or run around after their latest uninspiring exploits, wondering why we chose this fate.
Sean Payton: We are with you, sir.
This was how Twitter reacted
"Why can't I be happy?"
"Well, you're searching for that perfect game."
"I'm just that way."
This is pretty much my brain during a therapy sesh.
Someone give Sean Payton a hug. https://t.co/1EPpvLNldP
— Funky Cold Luda (Taylor’s Version) (@lcm1986) October 23, 2023
You've never fully experienced a weird win until you've driven around trying to find food you don't even like https://t.co/wxR61Oxicm
— Seth Toupal (@sethtoups) October 23, 2023
Who doesn’t like sushi? Did anyone follow up? https://t.co/D9Wt7hH5LV
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 23, 2023
"why can't i be happy?" well, for starters, you're going to get food that you don't even like. that's an easy fix. https://t.co/x4nSjzetBa
— Robby Kalland (@RKalland) October 23, 2023
Would watch a coming-of-age tale about an NFL football coach who begins to realize his life is meaningless and his endless pursuit of happiness through winning was empty. https://t.co/IZMGJURF2c
— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) October 23, 2023
Everyone is making jokes about what kind of villain doesn’t like sushi, but “Why can’t I be happy?” is probably the most *NFL head coach accidentally gets extremely honest* quote that will be uttered this century. https://t.co/vwcnzsgqJB
— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) October 23, 2023
this is an existential crisis. the sushi part. and i guess the happiness too https://t.co/WnKFnNTfJJ
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) October 23, 2023
Sean that’s not football that’s depression https://t.co/Gn3y7SVFc2
— Landon Reinhardt (@landonian87) October 23, 2023
He just like me fr https://t.co/ijgc3ULYQx
— JP Acosta (Pug Dederson Stan Acct) (@acosta32_jp) October 23, 2023