ClutchPoints
The Denver Broncos may be staring down one of the NFL’s toughest opening stretches in 2026. Head coach Sean Payton, though, isn’t losing sleep over it, or his sense of humor. Denver’s schedule features five teams that reached the 2025 playoffs within the first six weeks. Those include a season-opening clash with the Kansas City Chiefs and an early showdown against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Naturally, the difficulty of the slate prompted questions about whether the Broncos had somehow fallen out of favor with the league office.
When a reporter jokingly asked Payton if he had “pissed off some people with the league” to receive such a challenging schedule, the veteran coach delivered a perfectly timed punchline.
“No. That happened a long time ago,” Payton replied with a grin. It drew laughter from those in attendance.
The remark was an unmistakable reference to the infamous ‘Bountygate’ scandal that rocked the New Orleans Saints organization in 2012. It resulted in Payton’s serving a full-season suspension handed down by Commissioner Roger Goodell. More than a decade later, Payton appears comfortable enough with that chapter of his career to joke about it publicly. Still, beneath the humor lies a serious challenge.
Rather than dwelling on scheduling quirks, Payton has focused on preparing his team for the difficult road ahead. He recently adjusted Denver’s training camp plans by eliminating joint preseason practices. They prioritized internal development and playbook installation instead. The Broncos will need every advantage they can find if they hope to navigate that early-season gauntlet.
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