The simmering feud between Sean Payton and the New York Jets has taken a fascinating turn. After all, if you aim at Jets #QB1’s beloved coach and subject him to criticism, others should be better prepared for defense. Recently, the verbal clash that ensued between Payton and Nathaniel Hackett has now roped in Aaron Rodgers. And the Jets’ quarterback didn’t hold back in sharing his candid appraisal of Nathan.

Rather than allowing the controversy to fade away quietly, A-Rod defended Hackett, aiming Payton’s remarks robustly. However, amidst everything, a renowned sports radio host and journalist has voiced a similar opinion to the Broncos coach taking it head-on with the four-time MVP. This unfolding drama has certainly made fans wonder if they’ll see more of it soon.

Supporting Payton unlike Aaron 

Recently, the ex-Packers-new-Jets quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, in an interview with the NFL Network at the Jets training camp practice on Sunday, didn’t mince his words while giving his comeback on newly-appointed Broncos head coach Sean Payton comments. “He needs to keep my coaches’ names out of his mouth,” replied the Jets’ quarterback, addressing Payton’s critical remarks aimed at Nathaniel Hackett. Nathan was the offensive coordinator for the Jets last season and former head coach of the Denver team. While Aaron Rodgers appeared to take offense at Sean Payton’s strong words, there’s another perspective to consider. Per Stephen A. Smith, the American Sports’ IT’ face, he agrees to disagree with the MVP.

Smith shared his backing for the former New Orleans Saints coach in his YouTube podcast. He said, “I’m not surprised by his comments… Let’s just call it what it is, and when you look at Nathan, you hack it. I mean, the job he did in Denver was so bad he’s lucky to have a job in the NFL this year… When you perform that horrendously, you don’t have a job within a nanosecond once you get fired as a head coach in the League. I reiterated this before, and I’ll say it again because, to me, I’m so tired of talking about Nathaniel Hackett because I didn’t feel he deserved the job, to begin with, in Denver.”

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Smith even went as far as to express his belief that Payton had every right to share his unfiltered ‘candid’ opinion. He emphasized everything saying, “This is what he had to say… That’s a new coach that’s ticked off that he has to deal with the stuff that he has to deal with—the residue, the stench of what’s left behind,” echoing the new Broncos coach sentiments. And this is not the first time Stephen has supported the coach and appreciated his outlook. 

Advocating Payton for Cowboys 

Last season, the Dallas Cowboys faced a disastrous second successive elimination from the playoffs by the San Francisco 49ers. And it left the Cowboys fans furious as they demanded Coach Mike McCarthy’s immediate removal. Not only that, but they also wanted quarterback Dak Prescott out of the picture. Surprisingly, it wasn’t just the fans who shared this sentiment but also the famed ESPN NBA Analyst Stephen A Smith. 

In a January episode of the “Pardon My Take” podcast, he candidly conversed with Barstool Sports podcaster Billy Football, delving into the team’s frustrating lack of conference championship, saying, “I’d get Sean Payton. Even if I had to give up the assets to get him, I’d get him because Dak Prescott is my most important player. I have to maximize his potential. And because I have to maximize his potential, who better do it? That coach is a Super Bowl champion that had the most prolific offenses in football.” It feels like Smith does have a corner for Payton. And now, with NFL preseason kickoffs almost 24 hours away, fans will see if Payton will bring on the miracle to the Broncos.

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