Ryan Clark gets backing from recently axed Broncos safety Kareem Jackson and Randy Gregory in his Sean Payton rant

Denver Broncos’ General Manager George Paton invested heavily in Russell Wilson without the quarterback even stepping onto the field in blue and orange. The assumption seemed to be that his talent transcended coaching dynamics. The team had a lackluster season with him before starting the 2023 NFL season with another seemingly average year this season.

Wilson’s season took a nosedive when head coach Sean Payton benched him, which triggered public criticism from former cornerback Ryan Clark. Subsequently, two former Broncos stars also joined in to echo Clark’s sentiments.

Ryan Clark goes scorched earth on Sean Payton

The recent transition of Nathaniel Hackett’s head coach position to Sean Payton within the Broncos franchise was supposed to bring a fresh perspective and a new direction. However, the aftermath seems to have unleashed a storm of controversy and disapproval, with Ryan Clark publicly denouncing Sean Payton’s conduct in benching Russell Wilson as “unacceptable.”

The veteran’s scathing remarks surfaced on ESPN’s Get Up, where he lambasted Sean Payton’s behavior by accusing him of adopting a confrontational approach toward Wilson. He labeled the HC’s behavior as thuggish since assuming the coaching role and also pointed out instances of undercutting the QB both “personally and professionally” from the outset.

“Let’s be honest: Sean Payton has behaved as a thug since he became the coach of the Denver Broncos. Immediately when he gets in the building, he starts to undercut Russell Wilson personally and professionally from his first press conference on”, he said via Get Up on ESPN.

The tensions between the HC and the signal-caller became visibly apparent during a recent game against the Detroit Lions, where a heated sideline outburst of Payton at Wilson captured attention.

Clark said he perceives this clash not only as a matter of personality but also as a mismatch in coaching strategy. He also urged for accountability, saying the coach’s behavior doesn’t align with professional standards.

“I don’t believe there was a thing Russell Wilson could do to make Sean Payton like him. I think from a personality standpoint it was a bad match. I think schematically it was a bad match. But my point is this, my point is this, let’s hold Sean Payton to some sort of professional accountability. His behavior as the head coach of the Denver Broncos is unacceptable. If I’m the Walton family, I do not want somebody representing me this way.”

A report by Dianna Russini from The Athletic unveiled the underlying financial motives behind Sean Payton’s apparent push to part ways with Wilson. Concerns over a substantial $37 million salary in 2025, linked to an injury clause, increased the financial stakes. It effectively translated to a high financial burden of $13 million for every win during the QB’s tenure, including a hefty price tag of over $3 million per touchdown pass.

Kareem Jackson, Randy Gregory back Ryan Clark over Sean Payton management

Russell Wilson’s journey with the Broncos in the 2023 NFL season started with aspirations to erase the underwhelming performance of the previous year. The Broncos faced setbacks throughout the season, oscillating between impressive victories against formidable opponents like the Kansas City Chiefs and unexpected losses to seemingly weaker teams like the Detroit Lions and New England Patriots.

Amid the Broncos’ struggles, the QB’s individual prowess shone through, making the decision to bench him even more weird to fans and analysts. Former Broncos players Kareem Jackson and Randy Gregory joined the discourse by aligning themselves with Ryan Clark’s vocal criticism of Sean Payton’s actions.

Jackson, in response to Clark’s critique, stated, “Da truth RC,” while Gregory concurred by adding, “all facts.”

Wilson himself shed light on the events leading to his benching and revealed that discussions about his contract terms preceded the decision, saying, “They came up to me during the bye week… and told me if I didn’t change my contract, my injury guarantee, I’d be benched for the rest of the year with nine games left or so.”

The signal-caller’s impact on the Broncos has been substantial since his trade from the Seattle Seahawks in 2022. With 30 starts under his belt, he amassed 6,594 passing yards along with 42 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.