Overview
- Payton announced he would resume calling plays for the Broncos starting Week 5 after a Monday meeting with offensive coordinator Davis Webb where he explained the change.
- Webb said he was disappointed by the slow offensive start but will remain the team’s offensive coordinator and continue to lead weekly game planning and quarterback development.
- The switch follows four games of weak offensive output, with Denver ranked near the bottom in scoring and total yards and posting a minus-7.48 offensive EPA and a high three-and-out rate.
- Some league sources and coverage singled out quarterback Bo Nix’s underwhelming play — 819 passing yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions through four starts — as a factor in the decision.
- The immediate test is Sunday’s matchup against the Chargers, a short-term opportunity to judge whether Payton’s in-game calling and changes to the run-pass balance produce better execution and fewer quick punts.