Broncos HC Sean Payton, Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte trade barbs before AFC Championship game: ‘They can rest in Cancun’
Before Sunday's AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton encouraged the home fans to be loud and told them that they would get a break soon.
They're going to have plenty of rest after this one," Payton said. Two weeks."
Sean Payton wants Broncos fans to be loud again this week in the AFC Championship Game...
- Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) January 22, 2026
They're going to have plenty of rest after this one. Two weeks."
pic.twitter.com/SOw9xcByYL
After being asked about Payton's comments, Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte said he did not hear the comments, but that the Broncos can rest in Cancun too at the end of the day."
Kayshon Boutte on Sean Payton saying Denver fans will have plenty of rest after the AFC Championship game:
- Kevin Moore (@KMooreTV) January 22, 2026
Kayshon said he didn't see it, but added, "They can rest in Cancun too at the end of the day." @NBC10pic.twitter.com/r9YSR4t5Jm
This Sunday, the Broncos and Patriots will revive a rivalry that featured matchups between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in the later stages of their careers. Both teams dominated the regular season, going 14-3.
One team will have two weeks to prepare for the Super Bowl, while the other will start their offseason, in Cancun or elsewhere.
The Patriots are coming off back-to-back wins over the Chargers and Texans to reach their first AFC Championship since 2018. New England is led by second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who was announced as an MVP finalist on Thursday.
The Broncos are coming off a 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills to advance to their first AFC Championship since 2015. On one of the final plays of that game, Broncos quarterback Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle fracture.
Former Patriots quarterback Jarrett Stidham will start in Sunday's game for the Broncos, who could get running back J.K. Dobbins back for the game. Dobbins has been out since Week 10 with a Lisfranc injury.