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For someone who talked a big game this summer — namely making disrespectful comments about his predecessor Nathaniel Hackett — Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton’s first season as the team’s head coach has gotten off to a nightmarish start.
Following their Thursday Night Football loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, in which they put up just 8 points, the Broncos record now sits at 1-5, with their lone win being a comeback over the Chicago Bears, their rivals for the title of league’s worst team.
Given the investment that the Broncos made in Payton — they traded a 1st and 2nd round pick to the New Orleans Saints to acquire his contract — it’s unlikely they fire him this season, as they did to Hackett in his first year back in 2022.
The truth is, though, through six games under Payton, the Broncos are significantly worse than they were last year.
The Broncos are worse off through six games under Sean Payton than Nathaniel Hackett
Through six games in 2022, while their record was an unspectacular 2-4, one of those wins came over the San Francisco 49ers (who, if not for an injury to Brock Purdy, likely would’ve played in the Super Bowl last year — sorry, Philly). The team’s point differential was -24.
This season, however, the Broncos sit at 1-5 with a -72 point differential. And their lone win, as mentioned above, came over the Bears, whom many fans and experts alike believe are the worst team in the NFL.
As a result of their terrible sort, the Broncos are making all sorts of aggressive roster moves such as cutting veterans Randy Gregory and Frank Clark Jr., and reportedly looking to trade wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. Jeudy certainly didn’t do much to help his trade value on Thursday night, though, as he had just three catches for 14 yards on the night.
The Denver Broncos will now have off until October 22, when they will host the Green Bay Packers for a Week 7 matchup.