Sean Payton struck a reflective but focused tone on his Monday Zoom call with the media following the Broncos’ 20–12 Week 1 home opener win against Tennessee. He acknowledged the significance of snapping Denver’s three-year drought without a Week 1 victory, emphasizing how critical it is to avoid the early hole the team dug a year ago. Payton made it clear that every win counts equally toward playoff positioning, and Denver cannot afford to waste opportunities.

The coach also touched on a personal milestone, surpassing Mike Shanahan for most all-time wins. Payton noted his Eastern Illinois connection to Shanahan and reflected on the fortune of a long career, though he downplayed record-chasing in favor of team progress.

On the roster front, Payton praised rookie first-round pick J.D. Barron for his versatility and ability to contribute in multiple packages, while stressing a measured approach to snap counts. He also highlighted the impact of veteran safety Talanoa Hufanga, calling his leadership and instincts “contagious.”

Offensively, Payton admitted Denver leaned too heavily on the pass in the first half. Adjustments in the second half allowed the run game to stabilize, which he described as essential moving forward. Quarterback Bo Nix’s aggressiveness on his interceptions was noted, but Payton framed it as a shared responsibility between the QB and play caller, underscoring the need to adapt game plans based on defensive performance.

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On Milestones & Mike Shanahan:

• “I grew up on Mike Shanahan at Eastern Illinois… he was the one guy that made it out and made it into the NFL.”
• “It does put in perspective how fortunate, how long the career has been… hopefully I have a chance to win a second Super Bowl like Mike Shanahan.”

On Fast Start & Importance of Week 1 Win:

• “It’s the first time in three years we’ve started 1–0. Getting that first win was important to us… you don’t want to look back and say we missed out on Week 1.”

On Rookie J.D. Barron:

• “Clearly there’s a great vision for his flexibility, inside and outside… we matched him on a tight end and Jaquan in the nickel. That versatility matters in today’s NFL.”

On Safety Talanoa Hufanga:

• “It’s contagious… his maturity level and leadership level. His football instincts and passion to win are special.”

On Bo Nix & Offensive Balance:

• “Bo said he was too aggressive… part of that’s on the play caller. You’ve got to pay attention to how the game is being played.”
• “Early on we threw it too much. In the second half we shifted, got the run game going, and hit big plays.”

On Substitutions & Personnel Packages:

• “Easy for us can be very difficult for the defense… those groupings can be unsettling. We’ll be smart with it, but the benefits are worth it.”