When Sean Payton took over as head coach of the Denver Broncos, the team was coming off seven-straight seasons of missing the playoffs.
Payton’s tenure initially did not start out any better as the team began the year with a 1-5 record. After four straight victories, though, the Broncos are now 5-5 and feeling confident going into the final stretch of the 2023 season.
Payton is happy to see that confidence in Denver’s locker room, and he wants to keep it rolling over the next seven games.
“I mean, we’re talking about — listen, we say it all the time: How do you have confidence? You do something,” Payton said after Sunday’s win. “You guys become more confident when all of a sudden, you put together a few good pieces — you gain confidence, and it has to be gained through demonstrated ability. It’s nice to feel that in this locker room right now. It’s nice to feel that momentum. There’s nothing like it.
“There’s nothing like winning. You hear the music, and it’s hard to explain. There’s a part of it is, and I’m going to say this — after you’ve done it a while, there’s an element of relief that you don’t have to deal with, like, misery for a week, if that makes sense. It’s like one extreme to the other, but I’m happy for these guys. That’s the thing — I’m happy for these players. I’m happy to see these guys sharing in this success. Man, they had a tough season a year ago. Many of these players — and you alluded to it — have had a handful of tough seasons. I want them to win.”
Payton spent 15 years with the New Orleans Saints before joining the Broncos this offseason. During that time, New Orleans won seven division titles and one Super Bowl. Payton has a winning history and over the last four games, he’s established a winning culture in Denver. We’ll see if the streak continues.
