Denver Broncos Coach Sean Payton and Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston exchanged compliments in advance Monday Night Football Week 13 showdown.
Payton coached Winston with the New Orleans Saints from 2020 to 2021 and when Winston started seven games in 2021, they were 5-2. Payton praised Winston for his leadership and “infectious personality”Earlier this week.
Winston also praised Payton. The quarterback was asked Wednesday to rate the biggest impact Payton had on him.
“I would say his aura,” Winston said. “His essence, he's authentically himself.” And I think that's what resonated with me so much because from a head coaching standpoint, I didn't really see a lot of personality in my head coach…Bruce Arians was a great example, he had personality…but That was my first year with him. So it was kind of a trial and error process. I've known him since I grew up.
“But what Sean had was a leadership quality that was so important to our team at the New Orleans Saints because I always put Drew (Brees) on that pedestal and I knew it was Drew's team, but in a way it was Sean was one of our greatest leaders, our hardest worker, and he was definitely a leader among men, and that's how I put it. He was one of the best leaders I’ve ever seen.”
Payton has the Broncos at 7-5 and within reach of a playoff spot this season. A win against the Browns on Monday would move Denver one step closer to the postseason.