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Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton appeared to ruffle some feathers with his comments about Nathaniel Hackett and the 2022 coaching staff – and it’s not just New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
An anonymous NFL head coach spoke out about Payton’s remarks. The new Broncos leader told USA Today last week that Denver’s 2022 season was "one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL."
"That crosses the line," the anonymous coach told NBC Sports’ Peter King for his "Football Morning in America" column on Monday. "Sean broke the code."
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Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton addresses the media after training camp in Englewood, Colorado, on July 28, 2023. (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
Payton apologized on Friday.
"Listen, I had one of those moments where I still had my Fox hat on and not my coaching hat on," Payton said. "I said this to the team: We've had a great offseason relative to that, I've been preaching that message, and here I am the veteran stepping in it. It was a learning experience for me, a mistake, obviously. I need a little bit more filter."
"I needed a bit more restraint. I regret that."
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Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is shown during training camp in Englewood, Colorado, on July 28, 2023. (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
Rodgers, a supporter of Hackett, slammed Payton over the comments on Sunday.
"Yeah, I love Nathaniel Hackett. And those comments were very surprising for a coach to do that to another coach," Rodgers told NFL Network’s Peter Schrager. "My love for Hackett goes deep. We had some great years together in Green Bay. Kept in touch. Love him and his family – incredible family man, incredible dad."
"And on the field, he’s arguably my favorite coach I’ve ever had in the NFL – his approach to it, how he makes it fun, how he cares about the guys. Just how he goes about his business – with respect, with leadership, with honestly, with integrity," he continued.
Head coach Robert Saleh, left, and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, right, are shown with quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the Jets OTAs. (Chris Pedota / NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK)
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"And it made me feel bad that someone who’s accomplished a lot in the league is that insecure that they have to take another man down to set themselves up for some sort of easy fall if it doesn’t go well for that team this year," Rodgers said. "I thought it was way out of line, inappropriate, and I think he needs to keep my coaches’ names out of his mouth."