For the first time in his stint as Denver Broncos head coach, Sean Payton will not be the primary offensive play-caller on the sideline. Davis Webb, who’s been a coach for only three seasons, will be debuting as the Broncos’ offensive play-caller this year. There have been doubts around this situation before, but Payton put an end to all of them.

“I went over there and sat in his [Payton’s] office for 45 minutes, about six weeks ago,” Mark Schlereth said on The Rich Eisen Show. “We’ve been friends for a long time. So, just chop it up, and I asked him about that, and he said, ‘Listen, I’ve given him the play calling duties, and I’m not taking him back. He’s going to learn on the job, and I will always be a part of the preparation that goes into it.’

“’If he needs some help or there’s some things on game day that he’d like me to help him with, I will certainly do that.’ And he goes, ‘All the good plays will be his, all the bad plays will be mine.’ But he goes, ‘I am not, and I repeat, I am not taking play-calling duty away from Davis Webb. It won’t happen.’”

Sure, the Broncos were humbled by the Green Bay Packers in Week 2. But Payton has enough reasons to be comfortable about his decision. Webb helped the Broncos stamp a 27-7 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1, and were even leading the game 24-0 until halftime, minus Bo Nix. Denver racked up 24 first downs and 359 yards.

At least the offense believes Sean Payton has made the right decision.

“One of the most impressive things is he’s really just kind of built something for everybody,” tight end Evan Engram said, via the Denver Post. “Everybody’s got plays. Anytime anybody is getting the ball, it’s an explosive. You look at Pat Bryant and the camp he’s having. Courtland (Sutton), he’s balling as usual. Troy Franklin’s flying all over the field. The running backs are getting active. Tight ends are making plays.

“So, that’s probably been the most impressive thing. He’s utilizing all his weapons and I think that’s going to allow us to be more dangerous when the live bullets come.”

The Packers game was one loss; any offensive coordinator will have plenty. But it shouldn’t (yet) take away from Webb’s potential, because he has plenty. He called plays for the Cardinals game in the preseason last year, which the Broncos won 27-7. The offense recorded more than 500 yards in total offense and averaged 8 yards per play.

Sean Payton hired Davis Webb in 2023 as the Broncos’ quarterbacks coach. He was promoted to offensive pass game coordinator in 2025 and is now the offensive coordinator. Rarely do assistants rise this quickly, but it’s working out for Webb and the Broncos.

Payton’s unwavering commitment to his new play-caller suggests a long-term vision for the Broncos. If Webb can successfully blend his own philosophical approach with Payton’s daily guidance, the Broncos’ offense might find the spark it needs to compete in a crowded AFC.