NFL Exec: Payton 'Never Liked' Russell Wilson, 'Went Out of His Way to Make' It Known

If it seemed like there was a disconnect between Sean Payton and Russell Wilson during the 2023 season, there's a very good reason for that.

One veteran AFC personnel person told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Payton "never liked" Wilson from the time he was hired as head coach of the Denver Broncos and "went out of his way to make that known."

It's not exactly a secret that Payton had issues with Wilson on the field. In a September report from ESPN's Seth Wickersham, Payton told his quarterback to focus less on his brand after what happened during the 2022 season.

"Will you f---ing stop kissing all the babies?" Payton said, according to Wickersham. "You're not running for public office."

There were moments during the season that seemed to indicate Payton and Wilson weren't seeing eye to eye. The Broncos head coach was seen yelling at Wilson on the sidelines during the third quarter of a 42-17 loss to the Detroit Lions on Dec. 16.

Payton downplayed the situation, calling it something that happens "in the heat of the moment" during games.

When the Broncos benched Wilson for the final two games of the season, despite still being in playoff contention, the nine-time Pro Bowler told reporters on Dec. 29 the team asked him during the bye week to change the injury guarantee in his contract or he would "be benched the rest of the year."

The language in Wilson's contract guarantees his $37 million base salary in 2025 if he suffered an injury. It becomes fully guaranteed if he's still on the roster on March 17, 2024.

Per The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Wilson expects to be released by the Broncos this offseason. The move will cost the team $85 million in dead cap hits, but it can be spread out over two seasons if he's designated as a post-June 1 cut.

Wilson had a solid statistical season in his first year under Payton. He threw for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 66.4 completion percentage in 15 starts.

The Broncos have an 11-19 record in 30 starts with Wilson over the past two seasons.