We’ve heard from everyone in the Sean Payton vs. Nathaniel Hackett debate except for the former Denver Broncos coach.
Everyone has offered a comment, from Payton to Aaron Rodgers, but now it’s Hackett’s turn to speak.
Now part of the New York Jets staff as their offensive coordinator, the former Bronco coach said that Payton’s comments were a bit uncalled for, yet it was good for his team.
“Sometimes things are said that are totally uncalled for, and it does bring your team together. I think that’s a beautiful thing,” Hackett said via Jets Videos.
"It's not about me. This game is about no one man."
– Nathaniel Hackett pic.twitter.com/Kiy5N2EXhR
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) August 1, 2023
“I was probably more surprised that they happened now,” he added. “Was definitely expecting them in Week Five. Almost thankful we got that out of the way, understand the way certain people feel and think.”
Hackett agreed with everyone else who said there is a code among head coaches not to drag each other. Clearly, Payton didn’t follow the code.
But it’s not like coaches haven’t dragged each other in the past. Back in the 90s, Jimmy Johnson, who coached the Dallas Cowboys, and Buddy Ryan, who coached the Philadelphia Eagles at the time, hated each other.
They both notoriously would drag each other in the media several times, and no one blinked. In fact, it was great for the game and built up the Cowboys/Eagles rivalry.
At least Payton came back to apologize and called his comments a “mistake,” neither Ryan nor Johnson ever did.
{SNY}
