Sean Payton handing over playcalling to Davis Webb backfiring for Broncos

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Sean Payton handing over playcalling to Davis Webb backfiring for Broncos originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After an incredible 2025 season, the Denver Broncos had high hopes of making a Super Bowl run in 2026. So far in the season, though, the Broncos' offense has taken a major step back.

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Bo Nix and company came out slow in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, and that continued the next week vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars before the offense pulled the game out late. Despite getting the first win on the board, the Broncos had their worst offensive half of the young season vs. the Los Angeles Rams.

Therefore, all eyes are on Sean Payton, who turned over playcalling to Davis Webb this season. If the Broncos offense continues to struggle, fans will only further call for Payton to take back responsibilities.

Here's why Payton gave up playcalling in the first place.

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Why did Sean Payton hand over playcalling to Davis Webb?

In the offseason, Sean Payton relinquished offensive playcalling to offensive coordinator Davis Webb, marking the first time in his head coaching career that Payton would not be calling plays. While that seems stark, especially after the Broncos went 14-3 last year, Payton wanted to keep Webb as his OC and felt he was capable of doing the job.

"I think it’s going to help our team and I'll do whatever it takes to support him," Payton said in February. "It’s not something I would do if I didn’t think it will help our team."

During training camp, Payton expanded on his faith in Webb. The head coach said that Webb's experience as a former quarterback and coach for the Bills and Giants helped prepare him for this position.

"He's had great lineage," Payton said before the season, via ESPN. "His college coach, his high school background with his father, those are gifts. Then there's his I.Q. It has come from a lot of great mentors and people, even in New York and Buffalo, that he worked with professionally...I think that's a gift. Then there's the ability and the talent."

The 31-year-old Webb is considered a future head coach, but this is the first time he has called plays in the NFL. Payton, a longtime veteran at the skill, is trying to oversee Webb's development while still aiming to win in Denver.

Davis Webb's playcalling struggles

The Broncos offense has struggled to begin the NFL season, making Davis Webb a popular scapegoat among fans and media. That escalated in the first half of the Broncos Sunday night game vs. the Rams, when Los Angeles outgained Denver by over 200 yards at halftime.

If the Broncos offense doesn't get any better, it could be a matter of time before Payton takes back playcalling from Webb.

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