In the third quarter of Saturday’s ugly loss to the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton was spotted by NFL Network cameras yelling at quarterback Russell Wilson on the sideline.
The Broncos had just run three plays that all appeared to be touchdowns, but two were ruled down short of the end zone and the third was nullified by a penalty. After settling for a field goal, Payton lashed out at Wilson.
After the game, Payton insisted that he was merely frustrated about the offside penalty called against guard Quinn Meinerz that nullified what would have been a touchdown. When pressed on yelling specifically at Wilson, Payton said: “Listen, what I talk with Russell about is none of your business.”
Sean Payton said when he was yelling on the sideline on the direction of Russell Wilson, he was “upset about the call,” referring to the offsides penalty, and not yelling at Wilson.
He added later, “What I talk with Russell about is none of your business.” pic.twitter.com/AxVgk9Qmiq
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) December 17, 2023
Wilson was also asked about the incident after the game and he basically sidestepped the question.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously, we wanted to score that drive,” Wilson said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t. I think, more than anything else, we were just frustrated we didn’t score there.”
Wilson was later asked if he thinks Payton still has trust and faith him in as a quarterback after the coach showed that kind of emotion on the sideline.
“Yeah, I mean, of course,” Wilson said. “I think the biggest thing is, we’re trying to score a touchdown there. I think we all want to score there. I think that’s our focus. … you want a coach that’s passionate, we want players that are, too.”
Neither Payton nor Wilson gave an explanation as to why the coach singled out the QB on the sideline in his frustration. Some fans and pundits speculated on Twitter that Wilson ran a play too quickly and didn’t give Payton enough time to challenge a previous play, but that’s merely speculation.
We might never know why Payton lashed out at Wilson in that particular instance, but it does make one wonder if the coach is losing confidence in the quarterback. There have been no hints of a potential QB change in Denver, but the Payton-Wilson relationship is certainly a situation worth monitoring going forward.
Sean Payton was livid and chewed out Russell Wilson on the sidelinepic.twitter.com/3NY1C8ptTP
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) December 17, 2023
The Broncos were called for offensive offsides, wiping out a TD on 4th-and-goal.
Sean Payton was livid at the officials… and Denver QB Russell Wilson.
"Well, there is a very animated discussion. I'd say it's a one-sided discussion with his quarterback." – Kevin Harlan pic.twitter.com/k9KKcoSain
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 17, 2023
#Broncos HC Sean Payton absolutely chewed out Russell Wilson. I feel like Payton is sometimes out of touch with modern day athletes… wdyt?#DENvsDET pic.twitter.com/KrP4VSqjv3
— Mike McDaniel (@MikMcDaniel) December 17, 2023
Strange sequence in Detroit. Two straight plays looked like a Bronco broke the plane – no challenge either time by Sean Payton. Then on 4th and goal, right guard lined up with helmet (I guess) slightly across ball – field goal. And Payton winds up chewing out Russell Wilson???
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 17, 2023
Sean Payton looks furious with Russell Wilson, but he needed to challenge that Javonte Williams run.
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) December 17, 2023
Feels like Sean Payton's rage was a tad misplaced there. I'm guessing Russell Wilson did something wrong, but it sure looked like the Broncos scored twice there.
— Matt Schubert (@MattDSchubert) December 17, 2023
Sean Payton is screaming at Russell Wilson while he decides to kick a field goal down 21 with one quarter left.
— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) December 17, 2023
Brutal offensive offsides penalty wipes out a touchdown. The Broncos settle instead for a Wil Lutz field goal. Sean Payton is hot, let Russell Wilson hear it on the sideline.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) December 17, 2023
Sean Payton was LIVID at Russell Wilson
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) December 17, 2023
I may not have been a fan of Sean Payton ringing in Russell Wilson’s ear, but this Broncos team needs a “kick in the pants” head coach.
Previous coach would be lifeless on the sideline.
Team needs tough love.
— 𝘾𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙧 (@CameronParkerPO) December 17, 2023
Up next for Payton and Wilson is a home game against the New England Patriots on Christmas Eve in Week 16.
