Sean Payton expresses regret for blasting 2022 Broncos

Denver head coach Sean Payton expressed regret for some of his strong criticism of the 2022 Broncos.

"I had one of those moments where I still had my Fox hat on and not my coaching hat on," Payton said Friday. "I said this to the team in the meeting yesterday, we've had a great offseason relative to that, and I've been preaching that message. And here I am, the veteran, stepping in it. … It was a mistake, obviously."

The 59-year-old had called last year's team, led by current New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, "one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL." He also spread blame around for Russell Wilson's struggles and said the franchise was "embarrassed" during the 2022 campaign.

"I needed a little bit more filter. … Obviously, I needed a little bit more restraint, and I regret that," he said Friday.

Payton had also taken shots at the Jets, saying they could endure a similar season to the 2022 Broncos. The former New Orleans Saints head coach said he'll reach out to New York "at the right time," according to NFL Network's James Palmer.

The Broncos host the Jets in Week 5.