Internet thinks Sean Payton baited Minnesota Vikings into trade up

Well, in the last hour or two, the internet has caught fire 13-second viral clip in which the original poster (@BroncosAve – X) went with a caption that suggests Payton is gloating that he baited the Vikings into a trade up from No. 11 to No. 10, so they could land JJ McCarthy.

In the clip, Sean Payton says, “I was actively trying to pretend we were moving forward … [chuckles] … in other words … [chuckles again]” — end of clip.

Sean Payton literally trolled the Vikings 😭 pic.twitter.com/SlorX9tq91

— Amir Farrell (@BroncosAve) April 26, 2024

Of course, when I first saw the caption, I figured it was accurate as to what Payton said. Of course, the annoyance I have with this specific head coach is always buried in the back of my mind. I mean, his bountygate program ruined the Minnesota Vikings’ chance at a Super Bowl in 2009.

Immediately, I started thinking about how stupid someone has to be to believe he tried to bait the Vikings into anything, when the the Broncos were behind the Vikings, not visa versa. It just doesn’t make logical sense. He wanted to get the NY Jets some additional draft capital? I mean, how would something like that benefit the Broncos.

Related: Kevin O’Connell Reacted Just Like You Did After Vikings’ Trade Up

But… before getting too irrational, I watched the actual clip and quickly noticed there was nothing about the Vikings. That he could have been speaking more generally about bluffing a trade up or it could have been earlier the was trying to pretend. So, I wanted to find the entire exchange.

The full video tells a completely different story

It wasn’t hard to track down. It’s in the middle of the Denver Broncos post draft press conference last night. It didn’t take long listening to the entire back and forth (question was originally asked by former GOAT Vikings reporter Chris Tomasson) before you realize that the last thing Payton was worried about was baiting Minnesota into anything.

The below video includes the entire exchange and includes captions in case you need the sound off.

Sean Payton is a dumbass but in no way did he indicate last night that he baited the #Vikings into a trade up. In fact, the Broncos were clearly afraid of what the Jets and Vikings were going to do ahead of them, especially after the Falcons took Penix. pic.twitter.com/jK4HuKHcec

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) April 26, 2024

He and the rest of the Broncos draft room were deathly afraid of what, not just the Vikings were going to do ahead of them, but also the New York Jets, especially after the Atlanta Falcons shocked the entire football world by taking Michael Penix at No. 8.

Related: Vikings Reportedly Tried Trading Up in NFL Draft for LSU WR Malik Nabers

I don’t know if it was really Bo Nix that the Broncos were targeting. But even so, they were much more worried that he was going to be taken before they picked than they were about baiting anyone else around them.

Sean Payton is one of those guys that nobody likes. He reminds me a lot of Drew Brees’ facemark. Disgusting.

The crimes have been proven. Payton and his coaching staff orchestrated a paid hit on Minnesota Vikings HOF quarterback, Brett Favre, in the 2009-10 NFC Championship game. Bountygate cost jobs and triggered suspensions inside the New Orleans Saints organization and Sean was banned from the league for the entire 2012 season. The Saints cheated their way to the Super Bowl in 2009-10 and ending Favre’s career was just part of the plot.

And now Payton’s career defining moment has earned him a movie deal. Payton, who went and coached a high school football team while serving his year-long suspension, will be played by Kevin James and produced by Happy Madison Productions. I wish I were joking.

“Coming Home”

Kevin James will play New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton in ‘Home Team’, a film from Netflix covering Payton’s suspension in 2012 and the time he spent coaching his son’s sixth grade football team.

(via @peter_king) pic.twitter.com/a8kj1FVtc6

— Lights, Camera, Pod (@LightsCameraPod) April 12, 2021

Uh, Kevin James the actor? That’s right. James is going to play Sean Payton in a Netflix movie called “Home Team,” produced by Happy Madison Productions. (Sound familiar? It’s the Adam Sandler company.) Imagine this: The plotline begins in 2012, when Payton is suspended for the season by commissioner Roger Goodell for the Saints’ bounty scandal, which gives Payton the chance to re-assess his life and put it in some perspective. As part of his new life, Payton becomes the offensive coach for his son Connor’s sixth-grade football team, the Warriors, in the Dallas area. (Thus, the “Home Team” title of the flick.) Filming of the movie begins this year. Payton read the script recently, made some corrections, and here it comes. My one thought about casting: James is going to need to lose a few pounds to play Payton.

Peter King

I hate that Adam Sandler is going to help make Sean Payton more famous. I remember back before I wrote this blog, back when I liked Kevin James.

Those were the days. Mall Cop was such a classic that will now melt away in my next bon fire. Too bad.

#bountygate #neverforget pic.twitter.com/kzbr7AVt0b

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) April 12, 2021

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

We never get tired of hearing @PAOnTheMic call of the Minneapolis Miracle!

Is this your favourite playoff moment? pic.twitter.com/mG0y79KUNJ

— Minnesota Vikings UK (@UKVikings) January 13, 2023

What crazy Alabama game-winning touchdown?

On the greatest play my heavily-biased, Millennial-self, has ever seen, Case Keenum and Stefon Diggs connected for a 61 yard walk-off touchdown that Allen perfectly dubbed the “Minneapolis Miracle.” The Vikings’ 29-24 victory over New Orleans will help ease Skol Nation’s remaining animosity over Bountygate.

Fan reaction videos are taking Social Media by storm. They are a hell of a lot more fun to watch than the Blair Walsh inspired versions. My Minnesota Sports Fan colleagues documented their own live response to the sensational play. According to Sunday night’s weather forecast, I’d say that footage will be available at some point on Monday. 

The below is not a live reaction, but Everson Griffen’s reaction immediately following the game-winning touchdown was priceless:

We are all @EversonGriffen. #SKOL pic.twitter.com/my5rXn5Xzl

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) January 15, 2018

Alright. If you want some more (don’t blame you) of that type of stuff, stay tuned for our founder, Eric’s article.

Personally, to explain my feelings when Diggs was sprinting to the end zone, only one life-moment really comes to mind: A couple of days before my 11th birthday, my mom gave me a scratch off ticket (great parenting) as an “early present.” After my pre-pubescent fingers scratched away the silver face, it was a winner. A big winner. After screaming that I had won 10K, the two of us enjoyed a tainted celebration. I had no idea at the time, but the damn thing was fake. The second I became cognizant of the scam, I broke down worse than the Saints secondary.

The “Minneapolis Miracle” felt like the EXACT OPPOSITE of that near social service investigation worthy moment by my mother.

If the fancy media people or others around the country want to complain about giving up the 17 point lead, by all means, be my guest. As for me, zero complaints.

However, a couple of quick points:

• Don’t worry about Xavier Rhodes. Andrew Sendejo getting cracked by Michael Thomas set him off. From there, it was a perfect storm that resulted in 2 TD’s for Michael Thomas and Mike Zimmer stepping in to help calm down the All-Pro CB. R-E-L-A-X. Rhodes was one of the first guys in the tunnel celebrating with Diggs. While Thomas is a dog, the Eagles’ Alshon Jeffrey is a cat. Next Sunday, it’s back to #RhodesClosed.

• The week prior to Aaron Rodgers suffering some injury, he led the Packers to a last second win over Dallas. If you recall, the Cowboy’s clock management got ridiculed for even giving number 12 a chance. In the event we happen to meet Tom Brady in the Super Bowl, and the game is close, let’s try to avoid giving him the ball last. I know this defense is historic, but you don’t want him, Rodgers, or Drew Brees, controlling the outcome of the game. it didn’t end up biting us in the ass on Sunday but I wouldn’t count on a last-second miracle play, like that, very often.

But that doesn’t matter this morning. Because, it’s on to Philly. The Zim Reapers will go up against Carson Wentz’ replacement, Napolean Dynamite Nick Foles next Sunday.

Sorry, Eagles. The backup QB stepping into the starting role and thriving is our thing.

If Case and company can get it done next Sunday night (5:40 PM CST Kickoff), it’s Super Bowl homeboys and girls.

Case Keenum had the whole state of Minnesota in the palm of his hands. Chills pic.twitter.com/mAh2WY0nz0

— Barstool Sports (@barstooltweetss) January 15, 2018

#SKOL

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com

While answering a question presented by KFAN, Brett Favre discussed some of his memories from the infamous “Bountygate” game. The legendary gunslinger implied that he suffered a concussion during what was the most “violent” contest of his career.

As mentioned a couple of days ago, all of my animosity this week is being saved for Sean Payton. Whether it’s the jackass at the gas station, or the absurdly expensive new brakes I just bought for my car, preserving my anger has been difficult. This article should be therapeutic.

First of all, in NO WAY am I glad that Favre suffered a concussion. However, last I checked, we can’t rewind the clock and find a way to avoid the head trauma. With that being said, for the sake of avoiding an ulcer, I appreciate the timing of this development.

The anger levels are already dropping.

Anywho, a documentary featuring Favre is set to be released on Thursday night. Besides being featured in it, number 4 is also the executive producer of “Shocked: A Hidden Factor in the Sports Concussion Crisis.” As the title implies, the show will focus around head injuries and their effects.

With the 3-time MVP making the rounds to promote the film, he spoke in great detail regarding his experiences during the tainted NFC title game.

The Hall of Famer offered verbiage that details how a concussion doesn’t have to entail an athlete who is obviously impaired. After prefacing the below statement with that information, he refers to the January 24, 2010 heartbreak as “that game”:

Outside of the pictures on his cell-phone, Favre seems like a pretty stand up guy. When someone notoriously tough like him talks injuries, it carries more meaning. Regardless, it’s not like he’s saying anything we can’t see on tape. I wonder what the Mississippi native has to say about this one:

As for the main Saints involved; Darren Sharper is currently rotting away, serving his 18 year prison sentence. It’s probably tough to reach him for comment. The main culprit, Gregg Williams, just went 0-16 as the Cleveland Browns DC. Let’s hope that happens again next season.

That leaves Minnesota fans with the ratty-ass Saints HC. Unfortunately, according to some, Sean Payton is thriving.

Despite how he’s portrayed, Payton isn’t a top NFL coach. He’s 32-32 over his last four seasons. That’s a .500 win percentage with an arguably top-five all-time QB. The 54 year-old is so defensively incompetent, he thought the less intelligent Ryan brother, Rob, would make a good New Orleans DC.

The only coach in NFL modern history to be suspended has a Super Bowl ring. I get that. Mike McCarthy also has one of those. If you ask me, those two are nothing more than the coaching versions of Joe Flacco. Hell, some of the craziest women I know were able to get the rings they were pursuing, when they REALLY put their mind to it. Does that mean a successful marriage? HELL NO.

Beating New Orleans on Sunday would severely concuss two birds with one stone. First and foremost, the Vikings would advance. Second, it would help reduce this skewed image that Sean Payton is an elite football coach.

It just sucks there’s no way to make him feel some of the physical pain that Favre experienced. Wait, what? Nice! Apparently someone figured out how:

#SKOL

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com

Former Vikings’ Head Coach, Brad Childress, is expected to announce his retirement from the NFL.

The 61 year-old spent the last few years working with Andy Reid as an assistant coach for the Chiefs. With the KC’s season ending after Saturday’s loss to the Titans, Childress is deciding to walk away from his near 40 year tenure as a football coach.

Report: Brad Childress planning to retire https://t.co/AvGbzP0J8I pic.twitter.com/ZGBxGT3zEf

— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 8, 2018

It’s interesting how Childress was only a couple plays away from taking Minnesota to the Super Bowl. If that NFC Championship game vs. the Saints ended differently, this topic would be front page news. Unfortunately for him, we’re getting prepared to avenge that loss, with a different head coach. In regards to Childress, my life would be better off if he… ah, nevermind.

It’s not really socially acceptable to blast someone when their about to retire. We’re here to celebrate our former coaches’ career. If you think this article needed more pop-shots at Childress, I like your passion. Please, save it for Sean Payton.

Brad Childress cut his teeth coaching football in the college ranks. After climbing that ladder for about a dozen years, he found himself as the running backs coach for Wisconsin. Childress was promoted to offensive coordinator in 1994 and coached legendary college RB Ron Dayne for three seasons.

Childress’ time in the NFL began just like it is now ending; alongside Andy Reid. His first NFL experience came working with Reid, Donavon McNabb, and the Eagles. After his time in Philly (1999-2005), as a QB coach and offensive coordinator, Childress got his first career head-gig, and it was with the Minnesota Vikings.

His tenure as the leader of Skol Nation lasted from 2006-2010. That four and a half-year run was highlighted with the previously mentioned NFC Championship game. As for his time with the Vikings as a whole, Minnesotans can visit ValleyFair if they want that many roller-coaster rides. Childress finished his NFL head coaching career with a record of 40-37 (includes playoffs) before being fired and replaced by Leslie Frazier, before a disastrous 2010 season even ended.

From there, he took a little bit of time off from football. However, he got his foot back in the door with the Pat Shurmur and the Browns, as their OC in 2012. Childress smartly got the hell out of there, after one season, and re-connected with Andy Reid.

As for Andy Reid, It’s been a Monday of all Mondays…. The Punt, Pass, and Kick legend is currently recovering from a playoff defeat, losing his OC to the Bears head coaching vacancy, and now his old buddy Childress is retiring.

That’s three strikes. I hope he left the office early. The big fella had to have needed a drink… or eleven.

Nowadays, many athletes choose to release a video announcing their retirement. Unfortunately for us fans, coaches don’t seem to be using that approach. It sucks! A Brad Childress narrated tear-jerker would have been euphoric.

It was probably a business decision on his end. Coach Childress didn’t want to be compared to Jared Allen’s masterpiece:

Jared Allen announced his retirement early this morning: pic.twitter.com/xzadWFt9ER

— NFL (@AllNFL_) February 18, 2016

Smart move, coach. Way to kick-off your expected retirement by avoiding things. From here on out, it’s your free time. I encourage you to avoid anything and everything else your heart desires. 

In closing, Childress’ stint with the Vikings was lackluster enough that even my “normally well-informed” co-workers at Minnesota Sports Fan are blaming him for problems he didn’t even cause… Christian Ponder… (Leslie Frazier’s doing)

Christian Ponder and Brad Childress made it into the latest podcast episode of “No Shirts, Just Skins”… #SKOL

For the entire episode, click here: https://t.co/rKzMVsLuxt pic.twitter.com/xyUNv2J1GR

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) January 2, 2018

Goodbye Brad. We can all hate. At the end of the day, we’d all give 3 body parts of your choosing to have lived your life.

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com

Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints is the only head coach in modern NFL history to be suspended. As punishment for his role in the “Bountygate” scandal vs. the Vikings in the 2009-10 playoff game, Payton was forced to sit out an entire season.

Let that sink in for a second… Ok. Are you pissed off, yet? If not, someone needs to check you for a pulse.

We’re all familiar with the story by now. Minnesotan’s have had night-terrors for 8 years, in regards to the NFC Championship Game that ended our 2009-10 season. For the vast majority of those nightmares, we’ve known the New Orleans staff was using cash bonuses in hopes it would motivate their defense to injure then-Vikings QB, Brett Favre.

The Minnesota Vikings and Skol Nation officially get their opportunity for revenge:

We’ll see you Sunday.#BringItHome pic.twitter.com/EIWQ9rm1Uo

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 8, 2018

Well, guess what? New Orleans advanced to the Divisional Round, after outlasting the Carolina Panthers Sunday night (31-26), during the Wild Card round.

Congrats, Saints! As a reward, you get to play in the loudest stadium in the NFL. Not only that, but it’ll be against the best 3rd down defense the league has seen in over 25 years. You’re going to need that banged up offensive line to recover awfully quick. Mike Zimmer and company will be plenty rested, after a week off.

Outside of coach Zimmer, I don’t respect anything or anyone more than the Football Gods. The Saints HC seems to be on the opposite side of the fence. Sean Payton apparently doesn’t give a shit about the almighty powers over looking the pigskin.

I know, I know. Then New Orleans DC, Gregg Williams, was the one who implemented the “bounty” program. At the end of the day, that was Payton’s team and staff. In my opinion, he is responsible for making sure nothing along those lines occurs. The fact that this man was suspended for the entire 2012 season speaks for itself.

For rats like him, I just hope everything plays out like my 2012 Fantasy Football season. Meaning, shit ends up coming full circle and the jackass of the scenario ultimately gets what they deserve.

Antonio Brown yelling “Karma” throughout JuJu Smith Schuster’s postgame interview regarding his hit on Vontaze Burfict ???pic.twitter.com/CjCHUAxZwt

— Tailgate Sports (@_TailgateSports) December 7, 2017

The beat-down I expect the 13-3 Vikings to put on Payton’s Saints will be good for him. He needs a reality check shoved down his throat. That will be better for his health than all of that Vicodin.

As for this article’s sake, I decided to forego the X’s and O’s aspect. Unlike the Minnesota staff, that will be saved until later this week. When it is posted, there won’t be much mention of the week 1 drubbing of the Vikes over New Orleans, earlier this season. The team we are about see on Sunday is a completely different animal than the one we beat in September.

Hell, the Saints had Adrian Peterson in that first game. Unlike going for it on 4th and 2 vs the Panthers, trading number 28 and increasing Pro-Bowl Rookie RB, Alvin Kamara’s, touches was a GREAT move.

Speaking of the artist formerly known as “Purple Jesus,” how pissed is he right now? After a decade with the Purple, he signed with New Orleans in free agency. If he were able to work things out with the Saints, AP could be preparing for a playoff game vs. the team that drafted him.

Somewhere in America, Adrian Peterson is currently smacking himself with a switch and repeatedly yelling “I’m an idiot.”

— Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN) January 8, 2018

Anywho, as I was saying, no (well, a little) X’s and O’s in this piece.

At this point, the most important thing is setting the tone, leading up to game day. From a fans’ perspective, early in the week is our proverbial opening kickoff. Sometimes, coming out of the gates like a bat out of hell is more crucial than anything.

#whof*ckdat

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com