Twitter questions Payton-Broncos marriage before it even begins originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Most marriages begin with happiness – a ceremony surrounded by friends and family, a relaxing honeymoon and maybe even a grace period for any potential disagreements.
If social media is any indication, the Denver Broncos and new head coach Sean Payton aren’t off to the smoothest start.
The Broncos reportedly finalized a trade to acquire Payton from the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday.
But according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Super Bowl-winning head coach wasn’t their first choice. Rapoport reported that Denver spent Tuesday trying to hire DeMeco Ryanswho was later announced as the Houston Texans’ coach, before pivoting back to Payton.
Unbelievable: The #Broncos spent today trying to hire DeMeco Ryans AGAIN today before he recommitted to the #Texans, sources say. When he agreed to terms with the Texans, they moved and finalized Sean Payton.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 31, 2023
Rapoport later reported that Payton was Denver’s third choice, behind Ryans and Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.
But how they got here… 🫣😯🤯 pic.twitter.com/LOCZV4AgVf — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet)
Several other insiders, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter, refuted Rapoport’s report that the Broncos pursued Ryans on Tuesday.
Timing of today’s two hires was completely coincidental. Broncos were zeroed in on Sean Payton, and didn’t make any contact this week with DeMeco Ryans or his agent. Denver was focused on Payton, and Houston on Ryans.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 31, 2023
But Twitter took Rapoport’s report and ran with it.
Payton wasn’t Denver’s first choice. Denver wasn’t Payton’s first choice. Payton chooses the Broncos for money, not love. Not a great start to this marriage. https://t.co/Wo4Jo55elt
— Danny Heifetz (@Danny_Heifetz) January 31, 2023
Several others were quick to get off jokes about the pairing of Payton and Russell Wilson, who struggled mightily in his first season with the Broncos.
Only time will tell if the Broncos succeed under Payton, but they certainly didn’t win the popular vote on social media with how things went down.
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