Sean Payton Takes Over Broncos Playcalling Duties

The Denver Broncos are changing their offensive leadership after a difficult start to the NFL season, with head coach Sean Payton taking over playcalling from offensive coordinator Davis Webb. Webb said Friday in Englewood, Colorado, that he was disappointed by the decision but remained committed to quarterback Bo Nix, the offense, and his coaching responsibilities ahead of Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.

Payton announced the change Thursday after Webb's four-game stint as playcaller produced inconsistent results during Denver's 2-2 start. The Broncos had faced four opponents whose defenses ranked among the NFL's top 10 in scoring through the opening four weeks, according to the source report.

Jacksonville ranked second in scoring defense, San Francisco third, Kansas City sixth, and the Los Angeles Rams ninth. The Chargers entered the matchup ranked 24th in scoring defense.

Webb acknowledged the change was difficult but pointed to the quality of Denver's early opponents when discussing the team's record.

"Luckily, that's not my job, that's [Payton's] job," Webb said. "I think he answered that. I think the world of him, how we've gone about it ... it's not ideal, but in the same breath, we're 2-2 in the first four games, our first four opponents were a combined 13-3 to start the season. Welcome to the league."

Webb said he had experienced career setbacks before, including working as a backup quarterback, and understood that changes were part of professional football. He remained in place as offensive coordinator despite losing responsibility for calling plays.

"Any time it happens in any aspect of your life job-wise [there's disappointment], but in the same breath, that's the NFL, you get going," Webb said. "Been a backup QB, been up and down before, that's kind of how it goes."

Denver's offensive statistics help explain the coaching adjustment. The Broncos ranked 27th in scoring and total yards per game, 29th in rushing yards per game, 20th in passing yards per game, and 23rd in QBR, according to the report. Their offensive expected points added ranked 22nd at minus-7.48.

The team also struggled to sustain possessions. Only six NFL teams had recorded more three-and-out drives, while 27.5% of Denver's possessions had ended with three downs and a punt.

Nix ranked 22nd in QBR at 46.1 and 27th in average air yards per attempt at 5.9. Denver ranked 29th in plays gaining at least 20 yards and 30th in explosive plays, with 16 runs of at least 10 yards or pass plays of at least 20 yards.

Payton had previously described Webb as a gifted coach when announcing the original playcalling arrangement during the offseason. Webb had also interviewed for head coaching and offensive coordinator positions with other teams. Even while announcing the latest change, Payton maintained that Webb had the potential to become an NFL head coach.

Payton had repeatedly expressed frustration with Denver's inconsistency in the running game and its struggles on first down, which often left the offense facing difficult down-and-distance situations. He said Thursday that changing playcallers could address some of those problems and help Nix improve.

Webb remained optimistic about the offense's potential to produce bigger plays and said he was focused on the response against Los Angeles.

"I taught myself early to think about the best- and worst-case scenarios," Webb said. "And if you're OK with both, then take that job on. It is what it is, nothing I can do about it now except be the best offensive coordinator I can be, and that's what I'm trying to do."

The Broncos are scheduled to face the Chargers on Sunday, with Payton handling offensive playcalling and Webb continuing as offensive coordinator.