Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is once again at the center of offseason speculation as a new insider update sheds light on ongoing play-calling rumors surrounding Denverâs offense in 2026.
ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler reported this week that several league sources believe Payton could eventually consider handing play-calling duties to newly hired offensive coordinator Davis Webb.Â
âDavis Webb taking over as the Broncosâ offensive coordinator is significant beyond the title,â Fowler wrote.
âIâve talked to several people in the league who believe that coach Sean Payton will eventually relinquish play-calling to Webb.
Despite the speculation, Fowler made it clear that no official decision has been made:
“Nothing has been decided as far as I understand. And the decision will be up to Payton.â
The report has added fuel to the conversation about Paytonâs future role after the Broncos came up just short of the Super Bowl
Payton has called plays for decades and is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished offensive minds in NFL history, which is why the rumors have drawn so much national attention.
Why Broncos’ Play-Calling Questions Exist
The conversation picked up steam after Payton explored hiring Joe Brady earlier in the offseason before Brady accepted the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching job.
That move suggested Payton was at least open to delegating some offensive responsibility under the right circumstances.
Webb, meanwhile, has quickly risen in league circles.
The Broncos gave Webb a major promotion in an effort to keep him in Denver as other NFL teams interviewed him for head coaching and offensive coordinator roles.
Denver clearly valued Webb and made a big move to keep him in the building.
His promotion to offensive coordinator has naturally raised questions about how much influence he will have on game days and whether that role was part of what convinced him to stay.
Despite the reports, many around the league remain skeptical that Payton would fully step away from calling plays.
At first, there were rumors that Payton could hand play-calling duties to Webb.
After Fowlerâs report, that possibility now appears more realistic.
Broncos’ Offense Under the Microscope
Former quarterback and NBC analyst Chris Simms added fuel to the discussion.
He noted that Denverâs offense has looked relatively basic under Payton compared to other top systems around the league.
That assessment has been met with pushback, particularly given how productive Bo Nix has been in his first two seasons.
Denver finished as a top-10 scoring offense in 2025.
For now, there is no indication that a firm decision has been made.
Payton has not publicly addressed the rumors, and league insiders believe clarity may not come until later in the offseason.
Until then, the speculation is likely to continue as Denver moves into the next phase under Paytonâs leadership.
The good news for Broncos fans is that both Payton and Webb are great offensive minds.
However the responsibilities are split, the offense should be in good hands.
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