Sean Payton Called His Own Play ‘Awful,’ And It Might Have Cost the Broncos Jaylen Waddle

Broncos coach Sean Payton came right out and admitted one of his late-game play calls in their 30-16 win against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday was “awful,” a call that coincided with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle leaving the field with a chest injury that will be closely monitored this week. Payton didn’t even wait for the media to ask, he brought it up himself at the post-game presser, almost daring reporters to call him out.

Payton Owns Up To The “Dumb Reverse”

The man didn’t pull any punches, straight up asking, “Why didn’t anyone ask me about the dumb play call, the dumb reverse call?” He then pretended to answer everyone’s unspoken question: “It was awful! All right, I’m sorry!” That’s some serious self-scouting right there, a coach calling his own shot “awful.” Payton even referenced a similar, fumbled reverse from Week 13 back in 2007, a play that cost them against Tampa Bay, admitting he “knows better” but sometimes you “fall in love with a play.” We’ve all been there, right? You get an idea and just can’t shake it, even when the signs are screaming no.

The play itself went down in the late stages of the fourth quarter. Quarterback Bo Nix pitched the ball to Waddle, who then bobbled it, recovered his own fumble, and immediately came up holding his chest. Not exactly the outcome you draw up.

Waddle’s Health Becomes The Real Story

Here’s the kicker: Waddle had already been limited in practice leading up to Week 7 because of that same chest injury. So, running a tricky reverse to a guy already nursing a chest issue? Yeah, Payton’s “awful” assessment feels spot-on now. Waddle did walk off under his own power, got evaluated in the medical tent, but then headed straight to the locker room and didn’t come back for the rest of the game. That’s never a good sign, especially when it’s a pre-existing issue.

Now, everyone’s watching Waddle’s status as the Broncos gear up for a crucial Week 8 battle against the Kansas City Chiefs. Payton needs to purge that play from his playbook, fast, especially if it means keeping his guys healthy and on the field. All eyes will be on Waddle’s injury report this week, because losing him could be a much bigger price to pay than a single “dumb” play call.

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Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.