With the Los Angeles Rams taking on the Denver Broncos this week, we will get to see the two "Seans" of the NFL walking the sidelines. Offensive masterminds Sean McVay and Sean Payton are set to face off against each other for the fifth time as head coaches.
Both are now elder statesmen of the NFL, having both won a Super Bowl. But according to franchise legend Andrew Whitworth, the relationship the two share now had to overcome rough beginnings. On his show, “Fitz and Whit,” the Super Bowl champion lineman stated there was animosity between McVay and Payton. He used his relationship with McVay and his Louisiana upbringing to bridge the gap, resulting in a newfound acquaintance forming between the head coaches.
Whitworth recalled hearing a story
about Payton's alleged opinions regarding McVay from years prior.
"We're like, hey, you know, that's Coach Pate [Broncos HC Sean Payton] used to always say, 'This dude wants to be me, or like he wishes he was me, or he thinks he's me, he thinks he's a young me, like everyone compares him to a young me,'" recalled Whitworth.
Sean Payton and Sean McVay used to have some animosity between them. Whit explains how their relationship has grown into something great 👇
— Fitz & Whit (@fitzandwhit) September 24, 2026
"I've always been the in-between, I talk good about Payton to McVay, and McVay to Payton... I know how much their relationship has grown,… pic.twitter.com/YPwU0Ygb8G
That story conjured up memories of his own as he shared his own perspective on the situation, stating he believed the animosity stemmed from their constant comparisons as game-changing offensive minds and energetic head coaches.
"Think of all the Sean Payton antics over the years," Whitworth continued. "He's famous for the billboards as they come in on a bus ride. They circled Philly Stadium after they beat him, you know, a couple years ago. Like all the things he gets into, he's told us some of the stories of him dressing up, doing all these things with his team, and then Sean McVay, he's known as this insane motivator and energizer, and in front of the team.
"You really think of some similarities there. What's been fun though is I obviously had a great relationship with Sean Payton, being a Louisiana guy, and over the years he came and he was the first person that I had come speak at my foundation event back in 2009, and so we have a great relationship. So I've always kind of been the like in between of them, like hey, I talk good about Peyton to McVay and to McVay to Peyton, that kind of deal. And so it's been interesting.
"But last couple summers, like we've been together a little bit, and I've seen the relationship, and now knowing this off season, they actually were you know communicating a lot through both of them and kind of their extensions and those kind of things that they did with their teams, and I know how much their relationships grown so there's a very cool, mutual respect for one another that they've gotten to that I really love."
Both McVay and Payton have been tied to very controversial moments in NFL history, but perhaps none more notable than the 2018 NFC Championship Game in which a clear defensive pass interference penalty on Rams defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman that could’ve all but given the New Orleans Saints the win was missed. The Rams would win in overtime.
Since that contest, McVay lost the Super Bowl, but was victorious in Super Bowl LVI. The Saints have yet to return to the title game, and Payton made his return in last season's AFC Championship Game with the Broncos. Both Payton and McVay ended their 2025 seasons within hours of one another. Now both men will search for their second win in 2026 against each other. Respect or not, the Rams and the Broncos are gearing up for war.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Andrew Whitworth sheds light on Sean McVay and Sean Payton’s evolving relationship
