I’m in a great spot with him

Despite Sunday’s victory, questions have arisen regarding the alignment between current Broncos coach Sean Payton and former Broncos coach, now Broncos defensive coordinator, Vance Joseph. Rumors have surfaced suggesting that Joseph may be let go during the season. There have been sporadic visual cues that lend credibility to these whispers.

Similar cues were apparent on Sunday. Payton, in particular, made pointed comments after the game regarding defensive issues.

“Don’t get me started,” exclaimed Payton in reference to a defensive mishap where only 10 players were on the field. “This needs to be rectified. We are in the NFL, and such occurrences should not happen. We wasted timeouts twice due to substitution errors. We need to address and fix this.”

The following day, Payton was questioned about his rapport with Joseph.

“I am in complete agreement with him,” Payton assured reporters. “But you need to understand something about me. Vance won’t be the only one feeling my frustration. It’s hard to be content or not upset. Perfection is what I strive for. It was a commendable victory for us, but as I drove home last night, heading to get sushi (which I dislike), I found myself circling the parking lot, wondering why I couldn’t feel happy. Well, I’m constantly searching for that flawless performance. I wear my heart on my sleeve, whether it pertains to defense or offense.”

For many, the torment is perpetual. Triumph is always tainted. The euphoria of winning a championship is fleeting, immediately replaced by a focus on all the measures needed to address any vulnerabilities that could prevent a single Super Bowl win from multiplying into two.