Sean Payton reveals Russell Wilson pressured Drew Brees to win over Broncos HC to join team
Sean Payton's NFL Combine press conference was chock-full of information. One tidbit getting some buzz is that Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson pulled every lever available to get Payton to join the team. The head coach revealed that Wilson even went to his former quarterback, Drew Brees, in a scheme to win over the head coach, per Pro Football Talk.
Wilson allegedly texted Drew Brees so much that Brees reportedly begged the head coach to join Denver jokingly just to end the harassment. Of course, whether it was the Broncos quarterback's repeated solicitation, Payton's circumstances, or purely his desire, he ended up in the AFC West.
Will Russell Wilson finish over .500 for the first time since 2020?
Expectations cautiously rise for Russell Wilson and Sean Payton after joining forces
Heading into 2022, expectations were sky-high for the franchise to follow the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams with Super Bowl wins following massive acquisitions. However, the Broncos cratered, winning just five games. Their 5-12 season was the worst winning percentage of the post-Manning era for the team.
Here’s some insight into the Russell Wilson season last year that I don’t think enough @Broncos fans or fans in general really knew about. Miss you @TrevorMoawad so, so much!!❤️🙏
@StraightLinePod @PointsBetUSA https://t.co/fJKxCi36u7
Since Peyton Manning retired at the end of the 2015-16 season, the Broncos have only had one winning season and none since 2017. Their last playoff game was in Super Bowl 50 and they sit with the Jets as the two least recent teams to reach the playoffs.
.@stephenasmith went IN on Russell Wilson 😳
"Russell Wilson this past season stunk so much they smelt him from the Mile High City to South Beach to damn L.A. That's how bad he was." https://t.co/8KdQVLuaFz
Now, fans and pundits are once again gauging the team's abilities after an early blockbuster trade to kick off the offseason. Some fans have jumped right back to their early 2022 hype level, but many remain hesitant to some degree. Those who believe in the team are pointing to the head coach's 9-8 record without Drew Brees and an offense led by a mix of Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, and Trevor Siemian.
Meanwhile, those doubting the team point to the history of losing, lack of draft capital, Patrick Mahomes, and Justin Herbert as reasons for concern.
Will Sean Payton get the team back on track just in time to avoid missing the playoffs again?