Sean Payton’s New Broncos Preseason Rules Include Bucket Hat Ban

The coach’s first year in Denver has already come with some rather odd rules for preseason games.

Sean Payton is entering his first year as the Broncos' coach, and he’s already established some rather odd preseason rules for the players.

Before Denver’s first preseason game on Friday, Aug. 11, Payton noted four rules he’s laid out for any starters after they’re pulled from the game, per NFL Network’s James Palmer.

While the rules seem strict, some of them seem normal for teams, such as the starters not being able to wear uniforms once done playing, a ban on sunglasses on the sideline and a rule against players being interviewed after coming out of the game.

The one rule that’s shocking fans is that Payton has banned “Gilligan hats,” or bucket hats. Payton didn’t explain why he’s against bucket hats, at least for his team.

What head coach Sean Payton doesn't want to see during the #broncos 1st preseason game Friday after starters are pulled:

- Uniforms off after you're done playing
- No sunglasses
- No Gilligan hats (moving forward this is my term for bucket hats)
- No interviews during the game

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 8, 2023

Thankfully for the Broncos, the game in Arizona kicks off at 7 p.m. PT, meaning the team shouldn’t have to worry about the sun much anyway.