'(Expletive) bum': Jets OL Billy Turner hits back on Sean Payton for Nathaniel Hackett jab
Sean Payton made waves on Thursday after telling USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell that his predecessor, Nathaniel Hackett, performed "one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL" in his lone season at the helm of the Denver Broncos.
But New York Jets offensive tackle Billy Turner, a friend of Hackett's and a member of last year's Broncos team, took issue with the former New Orleans Saints head coach's take on the Jets' offensive coordinator.
"Seems like someone started training camp and is trying to soften the blow after realizing what he's in for this season," Turner said in an Instagram story with Payton's quote. "(Expletive) bum." He ended the post with #BountyGate.
Payton was suspended for the 2012 season after the NFL deemed him responsible for the Saints bounty program in which defenders would receive bonuses for extra hard hits and injuring targeted players.
Turner and Hackett worked together on the Green Bay Packers, with the latter serving as offensive coordinator from 2019-2021. After Hackett was given his first head coaching job with the Broncos, the offensive lineman signed with Denver as a free agent. He previously played with the Broncos from 2016-2018 and said he returned to the Mile High City because of his connection to the new head coach.
“Hackett, I consider one of my best friends. I love him as a friend," Turner told 9News last spring. "I know his wife and his kids and I love them all. They are some of the best people in the world. Not just football. People you meet in life. Hackett is one of the best people I’ve ever met, football or otherwise. I’ve had conversations with him about everything."
Jets head coach Robert Saleh was dismissive of Payton's comments about his offensive coordinator, telling reporters at training camp, "What we have going on here, I kind of live by the saying, 'If you ain't got no haters, you ain't poppin.' So hate away."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jets' Billy Turner calls Sean Payton '(expletive) bum' after criticism
