Sean Payton riffs on empty seats during Broncos-Falcons preseason game

Sean Payton made headlines during a halftime interview at the Denver Broncos' preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons on August 15, 2026. After the Broncos built a commanding 24-0 lead, Payton humorously remarked on the empty seats at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. His comments reflect a long-standing rivalry with the Falcons from his time as head coach of the New Orleans Saints, where he had a successful record against Atlanta. Although the game is still ongoing, the lack of fans staying to watch highlighted the struggles of the Falcons offensively.

• 12:10 PMYahoo Sports — Sean Payton absolutely roasts Falcons with hilarious halftime comments