Sean Payton holds the dubious distinction of being the only NFL head coach ever suspended for an entire season—but according to Colin Cowherd, the league isn't done with him yet.

It's been 14 years since Payton was sidelined for the 2012 season over his role in the New Orleans Saints' bounty scandal. Now, as head coach of the Denver Broncos, he's still making waves with his outspoken criticism of league rules and policies. Cowherd believes the NFL is quietly getting payback by handing the Broncos one of the toughest schedules in recent memory.

"I'm not a conspiracy guy," Cowherd said, "but I believe this. I think Sean Payton has a mixed relationship with the league office. He's taken shots at quarterbacks, he's taken shots at coaches. The NFL does not like friendly fire. Zip it."

He added, "Look at Denver's schedule—they're punishing them. That's the toughest six-game schedule I've ever seen in my entire life, and I'm a geek on this stuff. I'm a nerd on schedules. I've never seen anything like that."

For someone who claims not to believe in conspiracies, that's quite a theory. But while the schedule certainly looks daunting, there are some very logical reasons behind it. The Broncos earned a first-place schedule after winning their division last season. They also have to navigate the always-tough AFC West, which means four games against the Chargers and Chiefs. And thanks to the rotating schedule format, Denver will face the NFC West—a division that sent three teams to the 2025 playoffs, including the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.

So whether it's a league vendetta or just the math of the NFL calendar, the Broncos have their work cut out for them. Either way, Payton's team will need to be ready from Week 1.