Thanks to yet another busy offseason, the 2024 NFL season appears to include more revenge games than ever before.
Cameron Jordan, a defensive end with the Saints, was watching the schedule when it was revealed last week, and he noticed right away that Week 7 against the Denver Broncos stood out.
Jordan stated via NewOrleans.Football, “It feels like we have to win that game. It’s not like I’ve circled it on a calendar and marked it down.” “Sean Payton is well-known to all.” Not letting him go. Not allowing him to accomplish that one.”
Week 7 will mark head coach Sean Payton’s first visit back to New Orleans following his departure from the Saints following the 2021 season. In addition, Jordan has never faced off against his previous head coach, under whom he played for 11 seasons.
In January 2022, Payton declared his retirement from coaching. However, he interviewed for head coaching positions with the Broncos, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos in less than a year.
Payton and a 2024 third-round pick were acquired by the Broncos in exchange for their 2023 first-round pick and their 2024 second-round pick, while he was still bound to New Orleans.
Payton’s first season with the Broncos didn’t go as expected; he finished with an 8-9 record and was left out of the postseason. But he has already made an impact on the team, cutting ties with quarterback Russell Wilson and selecting former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with the No. 12 overall choice in the 2024 NFL Draft.
As they finished the 2023 season with a 9-8 record and missed the postseason, New Orleans’ expectations were probably not met as well.
Thus, in a highly anticipated retaliation game on “Thursday Night Football,” both teams will have a bit more motivation come Week 7. Both clubs have a lot to prove this season.