The reason given was his support for players kneeling during the national anthem – a controversial act in the history of the league.

According to the NFL’s announcement, Sean Payton has repeatedly publicly expressed his support for players kneeling to protest social injustice, despite the league’s strict regulations. In a previous press conference in early May 2025, Payton is said to have said: “I respect the players’ right to freedom of speech. If they choose to kneel to send a message, I will stand behind them.” This statement has made many high-ranking NFL officials unhappy, leading to a strict ban.

In the 2024 season, the Denver Broncos under Payton’s leadership made great strides when they entered the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. However, the absence of Sean Payton in the 2025 season is expected to be a heavy blow to the team’s ambitions. Many experts believe that the Broncos may face a difficult season, especially when they have just added a series of new recruits such as Evan Engram and Dre Greenlaw to prepare for 2025.

Denver Broncos fans in Vietnam are extremely regretful about this news. On football forums, many opinions expressed disappointment with the NFL’s decision, saying that this was too harsh a punishment. Meanwhile, some people supported Payton’s point of view, seeing him as a coach who dared to stand up for justice.

Currently, the Denver Broncos leadership has not made an official announcement about Sean Payton’s replacement. Can the team overcome this crisis to continue its journey in the NFL? Let’s wait for the next developments in the near future!