The NFL has a gambling problem.

The league suspended five players for gambling in May, bringing the league’s total to 10 players all-time who have been suspended for gambling.

Players are allowed to bet on non-NFL sports, but only away from NFL facilities. The technicality has led to some confusion and, ultimately, punishment from the league.

So far, no Denver Broncos players have been suspended. Broncos coach Sean Payton is hoping to keep it that way.

“We got a packet from the league,” Payton said on June 8. “Obviously, when policies change, it’s our job to educate [the players]. [Vice president of football operations and compliance] Mark Thewes was awesome. We’re professional teachers. The packet we received, we looked at, studied [it] closely and then we presented it in our own PowerPoint. I probably had 20 minutes on it to really make sure everyone has it.

“If you’re a teacher and half your class get a D, you better look at yourself. It’s not the policy, but it’s the implementation, the understanding, and the educating of the policy. I presented a week and a half ago, and now someone officially will present [it]. Hopefully, it won’t be from that eight-page handout we received because that was more confusing after I read it than it was before I looked at it. I think we’re all on the same page.”

Payton clearly wasn’t thrilled with how the NFL has explained its policies, but the coach and other staff members have done their best to clarify the league’s gambling rules to players ahead of the 2023 season. Time will tell if players understand — and follow — the NFL’s gambling rules.

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