Denver Broncos Make Major Play-Calling Change Ahead Of Los Angeles Chargers Game

The Denver Broncos are making some changes after a disappointing 2-2 start to the season. 

What was supposed to be a vengeance tour after falling to the New England Patriots in the 2025 AFC Championship Game is turning out to be a complete disaster for Denver. 

In the offseason, the Broncos swung a trade for then-Miami Dolphins standout wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, resigned a plethora of their supporting cast and head coach Sean Payton named Davis Webb as the team's offensive coordinator. 

With quarterback Bo Nix aiming to get back to the field after breaking his ankle at the end of the AFC Divisional game against the Buffalo Bills, and the aforementioned roster construction, Denver appeared to be ready for another run at the Super Bowl crown in the 2026-27 season. 

Things have not gone to plan. 

Week 1 featured a 31-10 blowout loss courtesy of the Kansas City Chiefs, Week 2 was a come-from-behind 20-13 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Week 3 another come-from-behind 30-26 win against the Los Angeles Rams and Week 4 a double-digit 24-14 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. 

The Broncos' offense has been a massive point of weakness in these first few weeks, which has led to a change in the game plan in Week 5 when Denver stays in the Golden State to face the Los Angeles Chargers. 

Early reports Thursday morning indicated that Webb would be relieved of his play-calling duties, with Payton taking over fully in an attempt to revitalize the offense. 

"The Davis Webb experiment is over," Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio wrote Thursday. "Webb, who was promoted to offensive coordinator in the offseason and given the keys to the play-calling car, will have those keys rescinded this weekend, when the Broncos face the Chargers."

All signs pointed toward this shakeup after the clock expired in Sunday's loss to the 49ers. 

However, after Florio's report, a conflicting announcement was made that clarifies exactly what is going on in Denver. 

 "The Broncos are taking a more collaborative play-calling approach this week with HC Sean Payton having an increased role in the process and OC Davis Webb continuing with a significant game-planning and game-day role, per sources," ESPN's Adam Schefter wrote on X/Twitter. "Denver is looking to spark its offense ahead of Sunday’s game at Los Angeles vs. the Chargers."

Effectively, Webb will be a "backseat driver," still influencing how Denver's offense operates against the Chargers, but to a lesser extent. The 31-year-old is no longer in the driver's seat. He's still along for the ride and truthfully, he could be exiting the vehicle soon.

Sunday's matchup will be back in Payton's hands, as it was for his first three seasons with the team. 

Time will tell if this play-calling change can get the Broncos back on track, but if Denver can't seem to find the end zone often once again, this may be a deeper-rooted issue. 

If the Broncos fall to the Chargers, who sit in the AFC West basement at 0-4, it's fair to assume that this change could be the first of many.