Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton called out the New York Jets in an interview released on Thursday, and Robert Saleh issued a response just hours later.
When it comes to hype, the New York Jets have plenty surrounding them. After all, they did bring in four-time NFL MVP and former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason. With this move, and their other signings like Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, and Randall Cobb, the Jets are expected to make the playoffs.
On Thursday, the Jets were brought up in a USA Today interview with current Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton. As Payton criticized former Broncos head coach and current Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett for the work he did in Denver last year, he talked about New York's hype throughout the season. Specifically, he compared them to the now-Washington Commanders' 2000 season, who went 8-8 and missed the playoffs.
"We're not doing any of that. The Jets did that this year. You watch. 'Hard Knocks,' all of it. I can see it coming," said Payton, h/t USA Today. "Remember when (former Washington owner) Dan Snyder put that Dream Team together? I was at the Giants (in 2000). I was a young coach. I thought, 'How are we going to compete with them? Deion's (Sanders) there now.' That team won eight games or whatever. So, listen…just put the work in."
Well hours after the interview dropped, Jets head coach Robert Saleh responded.
Robert Saleh responds to Sean Payton's criticism of the Jets
While meeting with the media at training camp practice on Thursday, Saleh was asked about Payton's comments. Saleh said he wasn't going to acknowledge Payton considering he's been in the NFL for a long time and that he can say "whatever the hell he wants." Then, Saleh said that he goes by a saying, "If you ain't got no haters, you ain't popping. So hate away."
But, Saleh also said that "We're doing something right if you've gotta talk about us when we don't play you until Week [5]." Saleh says that he's "good with it."
Saleh isn't the only member of the Jets organization to respond to Payton's comments.
Offensive tackle Billy Turner, who just so happened to be on the 2022 Broncos team that Payton criticized in the interview, took a shot at the current Denver head coach on his Instagram story. Let's just say that he didn't pull any punches, much like Payton didn't pull any punches in his interview.
Turner's comments are not suitable for work (NSFW), but you can view them by clicking on this link.
Payton is looking to bring the Broncos into the playoffs, prove that quarterback Russell Wilson's still got it, and put the disastrous 2022 season behind them. As for the Jets, they haven't won a Super Bowl since 1968. With Rodgers on the team, this is probably their best shot since the 2009 and 2010 seasons, when they lost in the AFC Championship Game both years.
Payton's comments have gotten to Florham Park, N.J., and Saleh isn't phased by them. The two teams will meet in Week 5 in Denver.