Sean Payton admits ‘mistake’ in criticizing Jets, Nathaniel Hackett: ‘I needed a little bit more restraint’

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Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton met with the media Friday and apologized about critical comments he made this week about the New York Jets and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, adding he should have shown "more restraint."

Addressing the media for the first time since his interview with USA Today was published, Payton said he felt regretful almost immediately after he called out the Jets for the "pomp and circumstance" of their offseason and Hackett for the "worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL."

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton addresses the media during OTAs.  (Getty Images )

"It was a learning experience for me. It was a mistake, obviously," Payton told reporters Friday. 

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"I needed a little bit more filter. There’s a pound of flesh for these guys and, as a coach, you stick up for them and, after a while, we’re passed that season last year. And I said what I said, and obviously I needed a little bit more restraint. And I regret that." 

Payton unloaded on Hackett, who was fired after he compiled a 4-11 record in Denver in what was his first NFL head coaching job. Payton also dragged the Jets along the way.  

"It doesn’t happen often where an NFL team or organization gets embarrassed," Payton told the outlet. "And that happened here. Part of it was their own fault relative to spending so much (expletive) time trying to win the offseason – the PR, the pomp and circumstance, marching people around and all this stuff.

Head coach Nathaniel Hackett of the Denver Broncos against the New York Jets at Empower Field At Mile High