After being the head coach of the Denver Broncos, Nathaniel Hackett faced an abrupt dismissal on December 26, merely 15 games into his highly anticipated debut season. In February, Sean Payton assumed the head coach position. Recently, Payton criticized Aaron Rodgers‘ OC play caller, Hackett, deeming his coaching among the NFL’s worst. However, Payton quickly recognized his error and displayed a change of heart regarding his remarks.
Payton confidently predicted that the Jets might have focused too much on public relations rather than winning. Their big move was acquiring Aaron Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP quarterback, during the spring. However, on Friday, Payton admitted his mistake and apologized to reporters for his earlier comments.
Payton’s regret for TV analyst mentality
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During an interview, Payton made remarks suggesting that Hackett’s coaching performance ranked among the weakest in NFL history, and even held him accountable for quarterback Russell Wilson‘s challenging season.
After Friday’s training, Payton apologized, planning to contact Hackett (Jets’ OC) and Jets’ coach Saleh. “It was a learning experience for me, a mistake obviously. I need a little bit more filter.” Broncos HC added, “I needed a bit more restraint, I regret that.” Payton said he made those comments because he was still thinking like a TV analyst, not as a coach.
Payton owned up to his mistake and said he should have watched his words and been more chill. In Week 5, the Broncos and Jets are scheduled to face off in Denver. But that game is far away, so Payton thinks he will deal with it when it comes.
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Jets Coach Saleh fires back
The Jets went all out this year, making some big moves in the offseason. They didn’t care about what Payton said, who dissed them for caring more about PR than winning. They got star quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a trade and picked up some star players like Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, Randall Cobb, and maybe Dalvin Cook soon.
READ MORE – 4 Worded Proclamation by Russell Wilson Should Send Chills Down Opponents and Reassure Sean Payton
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Jets coach Robert Saleh shrugged off Payton’s comments, saying “Obviously we’re doing something right if you’ve gotta talk about us.” He feels proud that his team was getting noticed even though they didn’t play until Week 5. He called the critics “crows pecking at our neck.” The Jets were happy with their choices and ready to show what they could do on the field.
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