Denver's offense is getting a new voice in the headset, and it's a familiar one.
Quick Summary: Sean Payton announced Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, that he is ending Davis Webb Broncos play-calling duties after four games. Payton will call plays starting Week 5 against the Chargers, while Webb stays involved in game planning, following Denver's uneven 2-2 start.
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Davis Webb Broncos Play-Calling Run Ends After Four Games
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Sean Payton gave up play-calling this offseason. He handed the job to Davis Webb, his 31-year-old offensive coordinator. That experiment just ended. Payton said it plainly after practice on Thursday: "We'll make a change offensively; I'll call the plays."
This means Davis Webb Broncos play-calling lasted only four games. Payton had talked up Webb's abilities all offseason. Now he's stepping back in himself.
Who takes over: Sean Payton will call offensive plays starting in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Webb's new role: He stays on as offensive coordinator and keeps a big part in game planning and preparation.
Record at the time: Denver sat at 2-2 heading into the switch, with offensive struggles cited as a key factor. Payton's headset role: He is expected to be the voice talking to quarterback Bo Nix on game days going forward.
How the Season Started for Webb
Webb's first game calling plays came in Week 1 against Kansas City, and it did not go well. Bo Nix completed just 17 of 28 passes for 131 yards, one touchdown and one interception, according to NBC Sports. Nix even said after that game, "The players did not make it easy on [Webb] today," pointing out that execution was part of the problem too.
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Why Sean Payton Is Calling Plays Again
Payton did not frame this as punishing Webb. He said the offense simply needs sharper focus, no matter who is calling plays. "I think our focus needs to be more on the specific and the detail of each play regardless of who's calling the plays," Payton said.
He also backed Webb directly, saying, "I think Davis is very fast, very quick and understands what we're doing." That quote matters because it shows Payton isn't blaming Webb's football knowledge. He's trying to fix results.
Root cause: Denver's offense had not produced consistently through four games, based on reports from The Athletic and NBC Sports. Payton's framing: He described it as an offensive change meant to spark improvement, not a permanent dismissal of Webb's role.
Webb's reaction: NBC Sports reported Webb called the move "not ideal," but said he was excited to see how the team responds. Team messaging: The Broncos' own coverage described it as Payton "reassuming play-calling duties," not firing Webb.
Timeline of the Decision
Here's how the week played out, based on verified reporting.
Offseason 2026: Payton steps back from play-calling and promotes Webb to offensive coordinator. Week 1: Denver loses to Kansas City; offense struggles badly under Webb. Weeks 1 through 4: Webb calls plays for four straight games as Denver goes 2-2. Early in Week 5 prep: Payton meets with Webb, offensive players, and staff before Chargers game planning starts.
Wednesday, Oct. 7: Reports first surface that Payton may take back play-calling duties. Thursday, Oct. 8: Payton confirms it: "I'll call the plays." Friday, Oct. 9: Webb's reaction becomes public through NBC Sports reporting.
What This Means for the Chargers Game and Beyond
Payton is set to call plays against the Chargers in Week 5. That game becomes an early test of whether his return fixes Denver's offensive issues or if deeper problems remain. The Broncos also have a Thursday-night game against Seattle coming up in Week 6, so there's little time to figure things out before the next challenge.
Media outlets haven't all described this the same way. ESPN reported it as a clean transfer of authority back to Payton. Other outlets, including NBC Sports and NFL-focused reports, described it more as a shared setup, with Webb keeping a real voice even though Payton now has final say.
Short-term goal: Spark better offensive execution against the Chargers. Webb's continued value: Payton says Webb understands the offense well and will stay involved in planning. Bigger picture: If the offense doesn't improve, attention may shift to quarterback play and overall execution, not just who calls the plays.
