Sean Payton is making a major change to the Denver Broncos’ offense, handing primary play-calling duties to new offensive coordinator Davis Webb for the 2026 season.
It will be the first time in Payton’s head-coaching career that someone else will call the plays full time on game day.
Payton confirmed the move Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis after Bills general manager Brandon Beane let it slip earlier in the day while praising Webb, who spent three seasons in Buffalo as a backup quarterback.
The decision represents a striking departure for a head coach who has long been closely connected to his offense, but Payton described it as a move aimed at helping Denver improve, not as a step back from involvement.
“He’s extremely talented,” Payton said of Webb. “With regards to play-calling, it’s something that he’ll be really good at it. Man, it’s like, ‘Would you give up play-calling?’ I would only do that if I felt like it would help our team. I’ll still be involved with what we do offensively, just like what we do defensively. But I do think he has a gift. He’s real sharp.”
Payton added that he began considering handing the duties to Webb, then the quarterbacks coach and pass-game coordinator, during the 2025 season and that he doesn’t play to micromanage Webb’s decisions.
“I think that I want to do everything that I can to support him,” Payton said. “So we’re not going to sit and grade his play-calling each week, at least hopefully we’re not. I think it’s more about the team.”
Webb, 31, was promoted after Joe Lombardi was dismissed following Denver’s 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Webb has climbed quickly on Payton’s staff, moving from QB coach in 2023 and ’24 to offensive coordinator. He previously handled play-calling in a 2025 preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Denver finished 14th in scoring during the regular season (23.6 points per game), and Payton indicated part of the appeal is getting the operation moving faster while keeping the same system in place.
