Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton pulled no punches when reflecting on the candid admission from New England Patriots defensive tackle Milton Williams. Ahead of the AFC championship game last season, Williams openly said he knew nothing about quarterback Jarrett Stidham.
Payton was shocked at Williams' comment about Stidham, who was coming in for injured Bo Nix. Drawing from his knowledge of former Patriots coach Bill Belichick, the Broncos coach didn’t mince words about how such a comment would have been received under Belichick.
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The remark from Sean Payton highlighted the intense preparation and attention to detail the legendary Belichick demanded from his players during the Patriots’ dynasty. In Belichick’s system, ignorance about an opponent, especially a quarterback, would be unacceptable.
Payton’s observation underscores the cultural differences of the Patriots during the days of Bill Belichick and the current era under Mike Vrabel, who himself played under Belichick. The premium placed on opponent awareness was one of the core reasons the team dominated the NFL for almost two decades.
Furthermore, Milton William’s honesty, while refreshing, revealed a potential gap in preparation that experienced coaches like Bill Belichick and Sean Payton view as a serious liability.
After a just season as the Chicago Bears' offensive coordinator, Declan Doyle, the Baltimore Ravens hired him this offseason for the same role. However, this time, he gets to call plays. Speaking on “The Daily Flock Show,” Sean Payton believes Doyle can excel in calling plays for the Ravens.
Declan Doyle is a protege of Sean Payton. He served under the veteran coach at the Denver Broncos as tight ends coach during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. This makes Payton’s opinion about Doyle ahead of his first season as NFL play-caller carry weight.
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