Nathaniel Hackett Calls Sean Payton’s Comments ‘Frustrating:’ ‘There’s a Code’

Nathaniel Hackett addressed criticism from Sean Payton for the first time on Tuesday where he said “there’s a code, there’s a way things are done” when referring to coaching. He said the whole situation was “unfortunate” and “it sucks” but was happy the comments didn’t come during the season when the two teams are set to face off in Week 5. 

“I’m almost thankful we got that out of the way. We all understand the way certain people feel and think,” Hackett told reporters.

Payton caused waves last week when he took several scathing shots at Hackett, the former Broncos coach who he is replacing. He said that “everything” he heard about last season, “we’re doing the opposite,” when referring to the job Hackett did in 2022 when the team finished 5–12. Hackett was fired before the end of the season in his first year there.  

“It might have been one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL,” Payton said. “That’s how bad it was.”

Hackett also said that Payton has not reached out to apologize to him and the two have never spoken before, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. After receiving backlash for the comments, Payton walked back what he said.

“I had one of those moments where I still had my Fox hat and not my coaching hat,” Payton said. “Here I am the veteran stepping in it and it was a learning experience for me and it was a mistake. Obviously I need a little bit more filter.”

Of course, Hackett’s players came to his defense and took some shots at the new Denver coach in the process. Jets offensive lineman Billy Turner went as far as to call Payton a “f------ bum” on Instagram and new quarterback Aaron Rodgers said that Payton’s comments were “insecure.”

“I thought it was way out of line, inappropriate, and I think he needs to keep my coaches’ names out of his mouth,” Rodgers said.

When Rodgers’s comments were brought up Monday, Payton was dismissive toward the subject, saying “We’re past it,” and refused to address them. The two teams are set to square off on Oct. 8.