“He embarrassed his quarterback”: Robert Griffin III calls out Sean Payton for heated exchange with Russell Wilson

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton lost his cool with quarterback Russell Wilson on the sideline last Saturday. The short verbal bust-up was caught on camera and went viral instantly on social media, leading to controversial claims from NFL analysts and media outlets after the game.

The Broncos’ 42-17 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Lions wasn't a result the Denver organization saw coming but berating Wilson publicly gave credence to swirling rumors around the pair's on-field compatibility issues since the start of the 2023 NFL season.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first instance where Payton was captured going ballistic on the sideline. He had previously yelled at his defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, safety P.J. Locke, and now quarterback Wilson. It’s no secret that gamedays are stressful for nearly everyone involved, so these heat-of-the-moment incidents shouldn't come as a surprise.

While some analysts swept the wild sideline spat under the rug, ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III expressed his displeasure with Payton’s disrespectful behavior towards Wilson.

“Sean Payton as a coach, if you don't want people to ask that question, then you can't do that to your quarterback on the sideline. And the only reason I feel that way is because this is like the second or third iteration of Sean Payton doing something to Russell, to me that makes it seem like that's not his guy… To me, that moment said, ‘You're not my guy, I don't respect you, I don't like you,' explained Griffin III on the latest episode of RG3 and The Ones.

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Sean Payton's sideline antics are a reflection of Broncos' inability to stay consistent

The Broncos are 7-7 right now after a debilitating defeat to the Lions. The locker room frustration is only justified, especially for an organization that was slated to compete for the Super Bowl following the blockbuster acquisition of Super Bowl champions Payton and Wilson in 2022. The Broncos are heading to yet another below-par season as they remain far away from clinching a playoff spot this season.

The inability to click together as a team has contributed to the Broncos' inefficient campaign so far despite winning five in a row through late October and November. Payton and Wilson defeated the likes of Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills this year, yet Robert Griffin III feels the shortcomings could have been handled better.

The former Washington Commanders quarterback feels Payton should be held responsible for his sideline antics and must apologize to Wilson.

"Whatever it may be. He embarrassed his quarterback on the sideline and now the rest of the team, in my opinion, is more so looking at that moment like 'Damn, Sean Payton really doesn't rock with Russell Wilson'. And I thought Russell handled it perfectly… But I do feel like Sean Payton should come out in the media publicly and apologize to Russell Wilson.”

The Broncos face the out-of-form Patriots on Christmas Eve as they find themselves in desperate need of another winning streak to rescue them from further embarrassment this season.

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