Lil’Jordan Humphrey knows exactly what it’s like to be in the crosshairs of Sean Payton. The Denver Broncos wide receiver has been there before - back in 2019, when he was a rookie trying to find his footing with the New Orleans Saints. One wrong alignment here, a missed block there, and suddenly you’re staring down one of the NFL’s most intense head coaches on game day.
“I thought I was done,” Humphrey admitted this week on The Set, a podcast hosted by former Saints offensive tackle - and fellow Payton alum - Terron Armstead. “I was like, ‘Alright, I’m gonna see y’all boys. It might be a wrap for me.’”
That moment - raw, humbling, and very real - could’ve been the end of Humphrey’s NFL journey. But it wasn’t.
Instead of closing the door, Payton kept it open. And years later, he opened it even wider, bringing Humphrey back into the fold in Denver after plucking him from the New York Giants’ practice squad earlier this season.
Now, Humphrey is suiting up again for the coach who once benched him, this time in a Broncos uniform - and this time with a bit more confidence and perspective.
“He’s cool during the week,” Humphrey said of Payton. “But he’s gonna be fiery on Sunday.”
That duality - calm preparation followed by high-octane intensity - is classic Sean Payton. It’s part of what’s made him one of the most respected offensive minds in football. And it’s something Humphrey has grown to appreciate, even if it came with some tough love early on.
The trust Payton has shown in Humphrey is starting to pay off. The wideout has seen increased involvement in recent weeks, getting a handful of targets in back-to-back games against the Raiders and Packers. And against Green Bay, he made it count - hauling in his first touchdown as a Bronco.
It’s a small moment in the grand scheme of Denver’s season, but for Humphrey, it’s a big one. A sign that the work is paying off. A reminder that second chances - especially in the NFL - don’t come around often, and when they do, you better be ready.
As the Broncos (12-2) prepare to host the Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) on Sunday, Humphrey’s story is a quiet subplot in a season full of momentum. But it’s also a testament to the kind of culture Payton is trying to build in Denver - one where accountability and opportunity go hand in hand.
For Humphrey, it’s a full-circle moment. From the bench in New Orleans to the end zone in Denver, he’s still here - and still grateful.