Sean Payton Praises George Paton Partnership as Broncos Emerge as NFL Title Contenders

In the NFL, alignment between a head coach and general manager is essential for sustained success. Sean Payton has found that synergy twice in his career—first with Mickey Loomis in New Orleans and now with George Paton in Denver.

Paton’s recent contract extension, which now runs through the 2030 season, underscores the Broncos’ confidence in their leadership duo. Payton addressed the partnership during a rookie minicamp press conference, emphasizing its importance.

“I said this to [Paton] the other day, and look — in our league, it’s almost half the battle,” Payton said. “I said to him, I said, ‘Man, I consider myself very fortunate to have been with one General Manager in New Orleans who I would call a very close friend and a great working partner,' and then to find another person like George. I know that we both feel the same way. We love the grind together. He’s a tremendous asset and all, and he’s very good at what he does. I think we complement each other. I am super excited for him.”

Paton took over as Broncos GM before Payton’s arrival and has thrived by balancing core responsibilities with collaboration across the organization. His ability to align with key personnel—including ownership—has been critical in Denver’s resurgence.

Payton and Paton’s shared mindset has translated into on-field success. The Broncos, once mired in post-Peyton Manning struggles, are now a perennial championship contender. The franchise has also seen a record rate of season-ticket renewals, reflecting renewed fan confidence.

“We think alike in a lot of cases,” Payton added. “It was just a matter of time.”