INDIANAPOLIS – Sean Payton is still the undisputed shot-caller for the Denver Broncos but play-caller is an entirely different story.
Payton is turning over play-calling duties to newly-promoted offensive coordinator Davis Webb, confirming the move during his media session late Tuesday afternoon as the NFL’s scouting combine kicked off.
“I think he’ll be really good at it,” Payton said of Webb, who joined the Broncos staff as quarterbacks coach in 2023. “I know that’s like, ‘Man, are you going to give up play-calling?’
“I would only do that if I felt it would help our team.”
Webb, 31, is a rising star in the NFL coaching ranks who drew interest from multiple teams during the recent hiring cycle.
But still: Payton has called plays for at least the past 18 years when considering his 15-year tenure as New Orleans Saints and before that, as assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach for the Dallas Cowboys.
And this move comes weeks after the Broncos lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC championship game, the result marred by Payton’s decision that backfired when a fourth-and-one play failed after he bypassed a short field-goal attempt.
Payton didn’t link the move to the AFC title game and insisted that it was not influenced by any ultimatum from Webb.
Regardless, it’s stunning when considering Payton’s track record as one of the NFL’s most accomplished offensive minds.
“I’ll still be involved with what we do offensively, just like we do defensively,” he said. “But I do think he has a gift. I think he’s real sharp.”
Interestingly, Payton’s announcement during a 5 p.m. ET press conference came hours after Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane intimated the switch when asked about his team’s pursuit of Webb. New Bills coach Joe Brady, who broke into the NFL coaching ranks on Payton’s staff with the Saints, also alluded to Webb’s new play-calling opportunity.
“I know Brandon Beane announced it earlier to the media,” Payton said. “So, I saw him in the hallways, I thought, ‘You can come on, do my presser, too.’
“But no, I’m excited for him having that opportunity.”
–Contact Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on X: @JarrettBell