DENVER, COLORADO – JANUARY 04: Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos and Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos speak in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field At Mile High on January 04, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
The Denver Broncos have named Davis Webb their new offensive coordinator, but a major question remains for the 2026 season: will Sean Payton continue calling plays, or will Webb take over the offense on game days?
Payton officially promoted Webb from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator on Monday.
This was a move that had been widely anticipated since Joe Lombardi’s dismissal last week.
Almost immediately, the discussion shifted from why Webb was hired to how much control he’ll actually have on game days.
Payton has been the primary play caller for every offense he’s overseen dating back to his New Orleans Saints days.
That history is fueling skepticism around whether he’s ready to hand over the reins, even partially, to a 31-year-old first-time coordinator who has never called plays before.
Sean Payton’s Track Record Complicates the Conversation
Statistically, Denver’s offense was far from broken in 2025.
With Payton calling plays, the Broncos averaged 23.6 points per game (14th).
They finished 10th in offensive EPA, and ranked 12th in QBR while going 14-3 and reaching the AFC Championship Game.
Still, the numbers also reveal why the debate exists.
Denver failed to crack the top 10 in all eight of the main offensive statistical categories, including points and yards per game.
Payton even acknowledged his own self-critique during a January press conference.
“The thing that I have to continue that changes as you get older is you still have to be quick,” Payton said.
“Play just ran, next play… As you get older, you think about all the ramifications. I can’t let that happen as a play caller.”
But Payton’s history as a play caller speaks volumes.
During his 16 seasons as head coach of the Saints, Payton’s offenses finished in the top five in total offense 10 times and ranked in the top 10 in 15 of those seasons.
Why Davis Webb Is at the Center of the Debate
Webb’s rapid rise is impossible to ignore.
As a former NFL backup quarterback, he went straight from the sideline to Payton’s staff and is widely credited with accelerating Bo Nix’s development during his first two seasons.
The respect around the league is real.
Before Denver even drafted Nix, quarterback Drake Maye called Webb “one of the great quarterback coaches to play for.”
NFL analyst Charles Davis also described him as “an exceptional coach.”
Webb also got a brief audition last preseason when Payton let him call plays against Arizona.
Denver’s offense responded with 402 passing yards and 167 rushing yards in a 27-7 win, a small sample, but one that didn’t go unnoticed.
Still, several voices inside and around the organization expect Payton to retain control.
Former Bronco Ryan Harris summed up the prevailing belief:
“Let me tell you who’s calling the plays opening week — it’s Sean Payton. He’s earned that right.”
For now, Payton hasn’t committed either way.
What’s clear is that Webb’s promotion has created a rare internal debate for a coach who has historically kept play-calling duties close.
Whether that changes in 2026 may say as much about Payton’s evolution as it does about Webb’s rise.
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