Sean Payton is pulling out all the stops to motivate his team, particularly focusing on Russell Wilson.
As the 2023 NFL season kicked off, there were many questions about how the dynamic would unfold between Russell Wilson and the new head coach of the Broncos, Sean Payton.
Just two weeks into the season, the team sits at 0-2, and it appears that Payton is already feeling frustrated with his starting quarterback.
RELATED: Sean Payton Tells Russell Wilson to Hit Pause With His Image Concerns: ‘F–king Stop’
After the Broncos’ loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Payton didn’t hold back his displeasure with his offense’s performance and seemed to emphasize Wilson’s play.
“Russ has got to be crisper in delivering the plays,” the Broncos head coach expressed to reporters post-game. “If we have to use wristbands, we will.”
Payton went on to discuss the issues he observed with his team, highlighting areas where improvement is needed, including huddling, personnel management, and clock management. He stressed the urgency of making changes, even suggesting the use of wristbands if necessary.
Notably, the mention of wristbands recalls a previous incident from last season when Pete Carroll took a playful jab at Russell Wilson for refusing to wear one during his time with the Seattle Seahawks.
While Wilson’s statistics from the Washington game weren’t abysmal – he completed 18 of 32 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to 56 rushing yards – he also accounted for an interception, a lost fumble, and endured seven sacks. It’s worth noting that 50 yards and one of his touchdowns came on a fortunate Hail Mary play as time expired.
For the time being, Sean Payton is committed to working with Russell Wilson and his substantial contract, whether he’s thrilled about it or not.
The Broncos’ offense, as a whole, needs to make rapid improvements, as they’ll require every point they can muster to keep pace with the Miami Dolphins’ formidable offense next week.
