Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn didn’t hide his frustration on Sunday over a late-game play call by Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, feeling that the call was unnecessarily aggressive. The Broncos, enjoying a solid 28-7 lead over the Panthers with just over 10 minutes remaining at Empower Field at Mile High, seemed set to secure the win without any high-risk moves.
However, Payton had other ideas.
With a 4th-and-8 situation at the Panthers’ 42-yard line, the Broncos lined up as if preparing for a 60-yard field goal attempt. But instead of kicking, punter Riley Dixon surprised everyone with a fake, tossing a short pass to tight end Lucas Krull, which ultimately gained only three yards and resulted in a turnover on downs.
Though the Panthers’ defense read the play and shut it down, Horn viewed the move as unnecessary and disrespectful, given the Broncos’ comfortable lead.
After the game, an unhappy Horn sought out Payton to confront him about the call, accusing him of “trying to run up the score.” Though the Broncos ultimately won 28-14, Horn’s post-game comments made it clear that he felt the trick play went beyond what was needed to secure the victory.
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When reporters later asked Payton about the exchange, he seemed unfazed, admitting he was unsure what the discussion with Horn was about.
Interestingly, he noted that he had once coached Jaycee Horn’s father, former NFL receiver Joe Horn, and complimented Jaycee, calling him a “good player” before moving on from the topic.
This isn’t the first time Payton has stirred up controversy on the sidelines. Known for his fiery personality, the Super Bowl-winning coach recently made headlines for a heated interaction with Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix.
Despite the minor controversy, Payton’s competitive spirit continues to leave an impression on players and fans alike.
