Although there are plenty of other factors to consider, Russell Wilson will be a critical point of focus for anyone who is named the next head coach of the Denver Broncos. Although the excitement and luster of the blockbuster trade the Broncos made nearly a year ago have pretty well worn off at this point, Wilson is the QB1 of the Broncos until further notice.
Like it or not, that has played a role in the perception of the Broncos’ available head coaching gig and many seem to view Wilson’s presence on the team as being a negative factor. Well, it doesn’t seem that Russell Wilson is deterring the top candidates from speaking to Broncos ownership about their head coaching vacancy.
Russell Wilson reaches out to HC candidate Sean Payton
As of right now, it sounds pretty clear that Sean Payton is at or near the top of the Denver Broncos’ wish list for the next head coach of the franchise. His previous work speaks volumes and Payton has met with Broncos ownership both in person and previously over the phone. Although Russell Wilson is not part of the head coaching search, whether or not he could work with Payton is obviously a major factor.
According to Colin Cowherd, Wilson has reached out to Payton — legally — and it seems like both are open to, if not excited, about the possibility of working together.
Cowherd hung out with Sean Payton the night he interviewed with the Denver Broncos. They work for the same media company. They live in the same city. Cowherd is well-connected with Payton and, frankly, has dropped some very worthwhile nuggets of information on the Broncos’ coaching search for a couple of months now.
Polarizing and even unpopular as his takes can be at times, Cowherd is giving good information right now.
Let’s look at what he said about the Broncos and Sean Payton, specifically as it relates to Russell Wilson.
"“I talked to Sean about this, and some of this I’ll convey, some I won’t. But the reality with Russell Wilson — most people understand the problem with Russell right now. He’s too isolated. He’s got…his chiropractor, his throwing coach, and his own office…And though it doesn’t bother me (Cowherd), there is a sense — and it’s well reported and well-documented now — that Russell’s a little isolated from a lot of the young players, young receivers on the team…They believe in Denver, Sean can fix it. Sean, I know, can fix it. And Russell Wilson has contacted Sean — legally, by the way, through channels — he wants Sean Payton. He needs fixing, he knows he needs fixing.”Colin Cowherd on Russell Wilson/Sean Payton"
It seems like Sean Payton delivered a compelling presentation to Denver Broncos ownership regarding his plan and vision for the team. Of course, everybody involved wants to win right away, and winning right away would include having a plan to maximize Wilson’s strengths as a player.
As I have stated in the past, I don’t think the Broncos ownership group will require a head coach to be tied to Russell Wilson permanently, given his struggles in 2022, but I do think for the time being, fixing Russ and winning as much as possible benefits everybody.
Sean Payton is an offensive guru. He had six top-ranked offenses with the Saints. He had 12 top-10 scoring offenses. He knows how to call offense and it’s so weird that people want to diminish his role in their success because of Drew Brees. Brees is a Hall of Fame player, but to say that Payton had nothing to do with the Saints’ success would be ludicrous.
To land Sean Payton could loom large for the Broncos’ chances of competing in the AFC West anytime soon. He would undoubtedly bring a star-studded staff along with him to attempt to dethrone the Chiefs and catch up with the Chargers, who made it to the playoffs this season.
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Russell Wilson legally reaching out to Payton, whatever that means or looks like, seems like another step in the direction toward the Broncos landing one of the biggest fish in this head coaching cycle.