Sean Payton chases history: Broncos coach’s vision puts unique Super Bowl feat in reach

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Sean Payton stood behind a lectern in a small room deep inside Levi’s Stadium back in August and seethed.

His Broncos had just slogged their way through a preseason victory against the San Francisco 49ers in a way the 30-9 final score didn’t properly convey. The Denver starting offense had struggled to find much rhythm against a defense sitting out most of its starters. There were too many penalties. There were sloppy spots in all three phases.

Payton’s frustration in the moment, though, ran deeper.

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“This is the first road trip for us and I’ve got 14 things written down that I’m pissed off about that have nothing to do with the game,” Payton said. “That’s part of the debrief. The willingness of the player, employee, all of us, to accept and make those corrections is important.”

The venue provided necessary context as Payton lamented everything from travel logistics to issues on the sideline. The Broncos were in Santa Clara, Calif., the same place the Super Bowl would be held in six months. In a meeting before a joint practice with the 49ers earlier in the week, Payton talked about charting a path back to California at season’s end. It would take nothing less, the 62-year-old knew from experience, than every corner of the organization — from the coaching staff to players to even the fans — being all in.

“He lays out a vision,” veteran tight end Adam Trautman said, “and then everything (becomes) a building block to realize that vision.”

Now, five months after that preseason trip to the Bay Area, the Broncos are two victories away from a return trip to Levi’s Stadium for the Super Bow