The wiki references an article titled "Sean Payton: The UFL is helping develop NFL players" (dated June 17, 2026) on both the Sean Payton and Hakeem Butler pages, but the full text of that article isn't loaded into the wiki as a standalone page — so I can't share his direct quote.
However, the context is pretty clear from Payton's actions. Just days before that article, the Broncos signed Hakeem Butler, a two-time UFL Offensive Player of the Year who put up 641 yards and 22.1 YPC with the St. Louis Battlehawks. The wiki notes Payton has a history of favoring bigger, physical receivers, and Butler (6'5", 242 lbs) fits that mold. So Payton's point was likely that the UFL is giving players like Butler a real second pathway — consistent reps, game experience, and tape that scouts can trust — rather than just practice squad limbo.