Broncos coach Sean Payton has addressed a report that stated he didn’t want the Cardinals coaching job because of quarterback Kyler Murray.
Payton, who was linked to Arizona’s coaching vacancy, allegedly “didn’t want to work with that quarterback” in reference to Murray, according to Payton’s former Fox Sports coworker, Terry Bradshaw. However, in a Thursday interview on the Up & Adams show, Payton was asked why the internet thought he hated Murray, which he vehemently denied.
“I don’t hate Kyler Murray,” Payton said. “I like Kyler Murray. My son is his biggest fan. After the interview [with the Cardinals], my son sent me a combination of all his high school throws, college throws. I think, the other day Terry Bradshaw was interviewed, and I love Terry, that group I worked with has been amazing. But when Terry gets interviewed, you hold your breath because you don’t know what’s going to come out.
“From Terry’s perspective, I know that he would have felt better if I was coming back to Fox. So, there wasn’t going to be anyone good enough—in his eyes—for me. He was going to look at it like, ‘He’s not going there, he’s not going there, he’s not gonna go there.’ And I saw him last night, and I said, ‘Terry, I appreciate the kind words … but, no, I think [Murray] is extremely talented.”
Payton’s account aligns with a January report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noting that Payton was doing his homework on Arizona and was a fan of Murray. The 59-year-old coach even likened the challenges facing the Cardinals to the Broncos’ issues.
“I think they have the same challenges there that we have in Denver. They are very similar challenges,” Payton said. “Culture in the building has to be better. It just does. Two young coaches, got away from them. It happens. So I think knowing Michael Bidwill—he and I spent seven hours in the interview process. … I am very familiar with that organization.”
The Cardinals went 4–13 and finished last in the NFC West under fourth-year coach Kliff Kingsbury. After firing the 43-year-old, the Cardinals have been active in finding a replacement to breathe life into an ailing franchise. Arizona reportedly has narrowed its search down to three finalists: Brian Flores, who recently accepted the Vikings’ defensive coordinator position, Bengals DC Lou Anarumo and Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
As for Payton, he takes the reins from Nathaniel Hackett in an attempt to turn around the 5–12 Broncos led by quarterback Russell Wilson.
