Broncos coach Sean Payton was visibly frustrated on the sidelines in the third quarter of Saturday’s 42–17 loss to the Lions.
A video went viral showing Payton shouting first toward the officials due to an offensive offside penalty, which resulted in a touchdown being called back and Denver settling for a field goal. Then, Payton’s shouting focused on quarterback Russell Wilson. NFL Network play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan described the “one-sided discussion” as “very animated.”
Payton was asked after the game about why his irritation fixated onto Wilson, and he quickly and bluntly shut down the question.
“Listen, what I talk with Russell about is none of your business,” Payton said, via 104.3 The Fan.
Sean Payton said when he was yelling on the sideline on the direction of Russell Wilson, he was “upset about the call,” referring to the offsides penalty, and not yelling at Wilson.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) December 17, 2023
He added later, “What I talk with Russell about is none of your business.” pic.twitter.com/AxVgk9Qmiq
Payton was clearly still upset about the call and what transpired during the loss as he was short and curt with most of his post-game responses.
“I was upset about the call, that’s all. Simple. That’s it,” Payton said when asked about what caused the sideline meltdown.
The Broncos fell to 7–7 with the loss, which keeps them in the bubble of the playoff picture.
