cross-posted from: https://fanaticus.social/post/221374

In an interview with USA Today earlier this week, Payton called Hackett’s 15-game run with the Broncos “one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL” and said there were “20 dirty hands” around quarterback Russell Wilson’s career-worst season that included just 16 touchdown passes and a league-high 55 sacks.

After Friday’s training camp practice, Payton apologized and said he intends to reach out to Hackett, now the Jets’ offensive coordinator, and to Jets coach Robert Saleh.

Payton spoke to the Broncos players about his comments Thursday in a team meeting. “Listen, I had one of those moments where I still had my Fox [network television] hat on and not my coaching hat on,” Payton said Friday. “I said this to the team: We’ve had a great offseason relative to that, I’ve been preaching that message, and here I am the veteran stepping in it. It was a learning experience for me, a mistake obviously. I need a little bit more filter.” Payton added, “I needed a bit more restraint, I regret that.”