Sean Payton comes to Russell Wilson's defense over past comments

Sean Payton took the podium for the first time since his introductory press conference at the Combine this week. During his time at the podium, he called out the media for being reactionary, according to Pro Football Talk. He also addressed his previous comments about the quarterback. Here's how Payton put it:

“A lot was made of that, and it was just an honest answer. I know what I’m familiar with and what I’m expecting. You guys will hear me throughout this season... It was a tough year, and someone said it last night, [if the Broncos had] success last [year], I don’t think the upstairs meeting room matters to anybody..."

Will Russell Wilson reach the playoffs in 2023?

Payton continued, blaming the losses for leading the media to open the door to pick apart the team and the quarterback:

"I didn’t see any articles from any of you prior to Week 1 or Week 2 when it was happening. That’s what happens when you lose. Everything gets looked at closely, including the coaching."

Russell Wilson aims to redeem image under Sean Payton's tutelage

Russell Wilson at New York Jets v Denver Broncos

Heading into 2022, the Broncos quarterback was seen by many as one of the 10 best quarterbacks in the league. However, just one season later, everything has changed. Instead of being seen in a positive light, many fans have taken umbrage with his abilities on the field and his personality off of it.

When NFL fans weren't raking him over the coals after losing a game, they were poking jokes about his ill-timed commercials. Going into 2022, Broncos fans expected at least 10 wins, getting flashbacks to the Peyton Manning years. Instead, the team won half as many games.

If one only counts the number of games the quarterback and head coach Nathaniel Hackett won together, the duo only had three wins all season long. Will 2023 be a different story?