Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Payton admits to baiting Vikings into draft-day trade

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 4/27/24

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton suggested that he pulled some shenanigans to bait the Minnesota Vikings into their draft-day trade on Thursday.

Payton said Friday he was “actively involved” in trying to convince the Vikings that the Broncos were trying to move up in the first round from No. 12, presumably to draft J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings, who were set to pick at No. 11, ultimately moved up one spot, giving up a fourth- and fifth-round pick to swap with the New York Jets.

Sean Payton admits he baited Minnesota forcing them to trade up for JJ McCarthy pic.twitter.com/UQtDb5CMDc

— Denver Broncos 365 (@DailyBroncos) April 26, 2024

“I was actively involved in trying to pretend we were moving forward,” Payton said, chuckling.

The Broncos did not really benefit from the Vikings’ move. The Jets were never taking a quarterback, so the reality is that the Vikings’ only risk of not getting McCarthy was if another team moved up to No. 10.

Denver’s supposed posturing did not actually get it any players who would not have been there otherwise, as it ultimately selected Bo Nix.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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