Russell Wilson makes playful jab at Sean Payton while predicting Broncos vs. Chiefs

Russell Wilson makes playful jab at Sean Payton while predicting Broncos vs. Chiefs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Russell Wilson's broadcasting career began this NFL season, but it wasn't long ago that he joined the Denver Broncos, still one of the league's best passers.Wilson's time in Denver didn't go as anticipated, from a 4-11 record in 2022 to a benching by Sean Payton at the end of the 2023 season. And while both Wilson and Payton are considered two of the best to ever do it in their respective roles, they didn't seem to get along very well.Wilson poked fun at his tumultuous relationship with Payton on CBS Sports' pregame show on Sunday, the latest line in some back-and-forth between the ex-quarterback and Broncos head coach.Here's what Wilson said about Payton.MORE: Inside Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen's rushing stats before QBs match up in Week 8Russell Wilson makes playful jab at Sean Payton The Broncos brought in Payton in 2023 when Wilson was still QB1, leading to higher expectations for the following season after a miserable 2022 campaign. But after hanging around .500 all year, Payton benched Wilson at the end of the 2023 season. Ultimately, Wilson's soured relationship with Payton contributed to his release from Denver despite a massive cap hit.Since then, it's been clear that the quarterback and coach weren't on the best terms. In 2025, Payton made a comment after the Broncos faced the Giants — Wilson's then-team — about how he had told Giants officials that he had hoped to face Wilson over Jaxson Dart. Payton later said that he didn't mean to criticize Wilson, per ESPN, but Wilson responded on X by calling his former coach "classless."In that post, Wilson also called out Payton over his former "BountyGate" scandal.Classless… but not surprised…. Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media. 😎😂 #LetsRide 🤣— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) October 21, 2025Wilson later explained that he didn't want to take the "disrespect" from Payton.“[When] you’ve been on the same side or this and that and I got the same amount of rings as you got, meaning Sean, right?” Wilson said on the "Bussin' With the Boys" podcast in March 2026. “I got a lot of respect for him as a play-caller, this and that, but to take a shot, I don’t like. I don’t think it’s necessary, you know, I mean, especially when I’m not even on your own team anymore. So, for me, there’s a point in time where you have to, I’ve realized, I’ve stayed quiet for so long. There’s a there’s a time and place where I’m not.“I know who I am as a competitor, as a warrior, as a champion, too and you know, I’ve beaten Sean, too. You know, like we’ve been on the same place and the same thing. And so, it’s not a matter of disrespect. Just don’t disrespect me.”Since Wilson transitioned into media, he hasn't spoken ill of Payton and the Broncos. In fact, on Sunday, the CBS Sports crew was making picks for the slate of games, with Denver facing Kansas City. Wilson picked the Broncos to win, then made a light-hearted jab at Payton."I'm riding with the Denver Broncos," Wilson said. "Sean Payton, you may like me; you may not. But I'm picking you.""I'm riding with the Denver Broncos... Sean Payton, you may like me; you may not. But I'm picking you." - Russell Wilson 🏈🎙️ (complete with a 🎯 throw) https://t.co/kGf3ddHKHI— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 1, 2026Wilson, 37, opted to walk away from the NFL this past offseason to begin a media career, rather than take a backup job, including the possibility of joining the Jets.He's fit naturally into CBS Sports' studio crew, while Payton continues to lead the Broncos in his fourth year with Denver.MORE NFL:Raiders' Kirk Cousins already floated as a trade targetShould the Eagles trade Saquon Barkley?Which kickers are most, least trustworthy?