New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was taking part in a routine interview with the NFL Network…until he wasn’t. After talking about being a mentor for the younger players on the team along with how he is settling into his new surroundings, the topic turned to Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton and his remarks on former Broncos HC Nathaniel Hackett.
“It made me feel bad that someone (Payton) who’s accomplished a lot in the league is that insecure that they have to take another man down to set themselves up for some sort of easy fall if it doesn’t go well for that team this year…I thought it was way out of line, inappropriate, and I think he needs to keep my coach’s name [Jets OC Nathaniel Hackett] out of his mouth,” Rodgers said.
Here is Aaron Rodgers’ comments about Sean Payton and his comment about Nathaniel Hackett this week. Rodgers calls Payton “insecure” and says he should keep his coach’s name out his mouth. 👀👀👀👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/7ISPvJBl5s
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) July 30, 2023
Rodgers was responding to Payton’s comments earlier this week when Payton blasted the former Broncos coaching staff in an interview with USA Today.
“It doesn’t happen often where an NFL team or organization gets embarrassed,” Payton said. “And that happened here. Part of it was their own fault, relative to spending so much (expletive) time trying to win the offseason – the PR, the pomp and circumstance, marching people around and all this stuff. We’re not doing any of that.
“The Jets did that this year. You watch. ‘Hard Knocks,’ all of it. I can see it coming. Remember when (former Washington owner) Dan Snyder put that Dream Team together? I was at the Giants (in 2000). I was a young coach. I thought, ‘How are we going to compete with them? Deion’s (Sanders) there now.’ That team won eight games or whatever. So, listen…just put the work in.”
On Friday, Payton apologized for his comments in his press conference with Denver media, saying he was wearing his FOX commentator hat (his former role) and not his Broncos head coaching hat.
“Listen, I had one of those moments where I still had my FOX hat on and not my coaching hat on. I said this to the team in a meeting yesterday, we’ve had a great offseason relative to that and I’ve been preaching that message, and here I am, the veteran, stepping in it. It was a learning experience for me, it was a mistake, obviously. I need a little bit more filter.”
Fan Reaction to Aaron Rodgers’ Comments About Sean Payton
As one would expect, fans and members of the media were fired up about the exchange, with many seemingly taking the side of Rodgers.
Love this from Rodgers. Sean Payton crossed the line talking about a fellow coach the way he did. Proper weak move https://t.co/SLvC3MSUH5
— Mr NBT (@JoeNBT) July 30, 2023
Fire me the f up! 🔥 https://t.co/2ARqs8fp0e
— nicole esther (@njrealtornic) July 30, 2023
Rodgers comments about #Broncos coach Sean Payton. Payton violated the coaching fraternity by talking about Hackett by name. I’d say 90 percent of BroncosCountry loved it. Payton said he regretted it. Rodgers defended Hackett. Oct 8 can’t get here fast enough #Denver7 https://t.co/DU0Ej2Q2Mt
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) July 30, 2023
Awesome response by Rodgers. Sports needs more honesty https://t.co/M88vUKLWF7
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) July 30, 2023
I'm here for the Jets smashing the Broncos in Denver, and then carrying Nathaniel Hackett off the field in jubilant celebration https://t.co/bwNZqig9wI
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) July 30, 2023
https://t.co/L6FcJJhoDd pic.twitter.com/7ASA0wx9pM
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 30, 2023
The Jets and Broncos meet in Denver on Oct. 8 in Week 5. You might want to get your popcorn ready.