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Sean Payton Responds to Broncos Legend John Elway as He Revisits Denver’s “2018 Pain”

Denver, Colorado – At a moment when the Denver Broncos are standing at the edge of their most meaningful season in years, an old chapter was suddenly reopened. Not by the locker room. Not by the coaching staff. But by one of the most powerful voices in franchise history. And as the words “2018 pain” resurfaced, all attention turned to the man leading Denver today: Sean Payton.

Recent comments from John Elway, in which he expressed regret over passing on Josh Allen in the 2018 NFL Draft, quickly spread throughout Denver. For many fans, it reopened a wound that never fully healed — a defining fork in the road that led the Broncos through years of uncertainty at quarterback. But Payton did not respond with defensiveness or avoidance. He chose a different direction entirely.

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Payton understands the timing. The Broncos sit at 13–3, heading into Week 18 with a chance to secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. In moments like this, even echoes of the past can become distractions. And Payton moved decisively to quiet them by placing his full confidence in the quarterback under center: Bo Nix.

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“What happened in the past, I don’t see it as pain. I see it as steps that opened the door to a different future. And Bo Nix is the future of Denver — the way he controls the game, his calm under pressure, his weekly preparation, and his leadership in the locker room. Without question, he is the best choice for us right now.”

The quote never mentions Josh Allen. It doesn’t argue history. Yet the message is unmistakable. The Broncos are not defined by regret. In Payton’s view, Denver doesn’t need to look back to 2018 searching for answers — because the answer is already in the building.

Throughout the season, Bo Nix has shown why Payton’s belief runs so deep. His ability to process defenses quickly, deliver accurate throws in critical moments, and maintain composure under pressure has given Denver a level of stability it has long sought at the position. It hasn’t always been flashy, but it has been reliable — the foundation of a team built to compete deep into January.

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Payton isn’t interested in debating Elway over legacy decisions. He isn’t trying to win a media back-and-forth. His focus is on protecting the present — and reinforcing trust in the quarterback he believes will shape the next era of Broncos football.

For Denver, Week 18 is more than just a game. It’s a referendum on belief, direction, and identity. And the message Payton is sending to Broncos Country is clear: the past can be acknowledged, but it no longer defines this team.

The future of the Broncos isn’t found in what was missed.

It’s standing right there.

His name is Bo Nix.

Zelensky Accuses Russia of Supplying Suicide Drones to Iran
  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of supplying Iran with Shahed-style suicide drones, which are reportedly being used by Tehran to target U.S. bases and neighboring countries in the Middle East. However, Zelensky has not provided concrete evidence to support these claims. In an interview released by CNN on March 14, Zelensky stated, "I have 100% accurate information that Iran is using this type of UAV to target U.S. bases and neighboring countries in the Middle East." The Shahed drones, originally produced by Russia after receiving a license from Iran, have been implicated in attacks on U.S. and allied military installations in the region. Zelensky further claimed that Russia is also providing intelligence support to Iran's attacks. "Russia's position is that if Washington and Europe are helping Kyiv with intelligence, Moscow can similarly support Tehran," Zelensky added. Despite these bold assertions, the Ukrainian president did not present any direct evidence to substantiate his claims. Neither Russia nor Iran has officially commented on these allegations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed on March 14 that Iran is "militarily cooperating" with both Russia and China, though he did not provide further details. Earlier reports from The Washington Post cited sources indicating that Russia had provided Iran with intelligence on the location of U.S. military assets in the Middle East. This alleged support is believed to have helped Tehran successfully target a range of high-value targets in the region, including radar systems valued between $500 million to over a billion dollars. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff stated on March 10 that Russia has denied sharing intelligence with Iran, affirming that Washington "can trust" Moscow's statements. Shahed drones, developed by Iran, come in various models and have been a key part of Iran's military capabilities. Iran reportedly supplied several Shahed-136 drones to Russia, granting Moscow a license to produce them under the name Geran-2. The Geran-2, which weighs about 200 kg and carries a 50 kg warhead, has a range of 2,500 km and is primarily used by Russian forces in long-range strikes against Ukraine. However, it can also be used for tactical strikes near the frontlines if needed. Images of a Geran-2 UAV in flight over Kyiv in December 2025 have highlighted its growing role in the conflict. In late February 2026, after the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran, Tehran responded by targeting Israel's territory, U.S. bases in the Middle East, and vital energy infrastructure across the Gulf region with both missiles and suicide drones. According to CBS, the early phase of the conflict saw an Iranian drone strike on a U.S. military operations center in Kuwait, resulting in six soldiers' deaths. The specific type of drone used remains unclear. Additionally, a radar system in Qatar, worth approximately $1.1 billion, was damaged in an attack believed to have been carried out by an Iranian suicide drone. The growing use of these drones by Iran, particularly with alleged Russian support, has further escalated tensions in the Middle East, adding to the already volatile situation between the U.S., Iran, and their respective allies.