Sean Payton Admits he's Looking to Make History With Broncos

For some, the 7,000 words that were spoken on Monday during Sean Payton's unveiling as new head coach of the Denver Broncos may have diluted the content of what was said. In truth, from the second Payton opened his mouth, his words resonated clearly and powerfully, leaving no doubt that a bonafide heavyweight coaching professional was now at the controls in the Mile High City.

History has seen several famous coaching figures take time away from the punishing rigors and all-consuming passion of leading a team, only to return to the NFL ranks. Payton's decision to step away from the day-to-day grind led to his one-year stint as a FOX Sports analyst, but the urge to compete never really left him.

Timing became everything for his return to coaching, and once Payton weighed up all his available options, the Broncos were undoubtedly a perfect fit.

"What I was looking for I felt existed in one place based on my exposure with the other the other teams," Payton said on Monday. "I also was in a position where if it didn’t work out, then we could continue working at FOX and wait for the next hiring cycle. This was the opportunity that I was interested in, and I know I was the coach they were interested in.

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Despite Payton's status as the New Orleans Saints greatest head coach of all time and franchise icon, the former Super Bowl champion always envisioned wearing the headset elsewhere eventually. That might sting a little for fans down in the Big Easy, but given his desire to write his name into uncharted NFL coaching history, they might forgive him.

"I didn’t see my whole career being with one NFL team. Now I didn’t see myself hopping around like Parcells did with 3 or 4 head coaching jobs. Someone who has been pretty influential for me.

"But I didn’t see like it that but I did see at some point working with another club. And look, no coach has ever won a Super Bowl with two different teams. Here we are 2023, it’s never happened. A few coaches have gone to Super Bowls with two teams.

"But no one has won a Super Bowl with two different teams. I like those kind of things," Payton said via 9NEWS' Mike Klis

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It was particularly wise that Payton should pick his moment to raise expectations. Any splashy promises or bold predictions took a backseat to set a general tone of cool, confident professionalism. The Broncos have been dying for a competent head coach to take control of the team, which was brought home to roost by the rudderless operation run by the failed Nathaniel Hackett regime.

Now that Payton has taken full charge, unnecessary distractions will be removed, including quarterback Russell Wilson's coaching entourage, which the previous regime allowed to penetrate the hallowed halls of Dove Valley. Suddenly, the clear and perhaps overdue message has been conveyed: buy in or move on from the organization — period.

"You have law and order, as Bill [Parcells] would say," Payton said of his former coaching mentor. "You come in with this is how we're going to teach, this is how we're going to meet, this is how we're going to practice... Every year in our league, there have been great plans with noble thoughts and a lot of enthusiasm that don't have success... Discipline, toughness, and football makeup is going to be really important for who is a Denver Bronco. There is an element of discipline, there is an element of toughness, and, look, it's not for everyone."

Hear hear, Coach.

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