The Denver Broncos did get a small win in the coaching department this week, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph wasn’t selected for any of the ten open jobs, as most teams chose to emphasize offense in their hirings, so he’ll be back in 2026.
The Broncos also chose to emphasize offense in their coaching changes, but not in a way anyone was expected. Sean Payton did a coaching purge last week, and as a result Davis Webb, the former passing game coordinator, will now be the offensive coordinator.
The big question going forward is the play-calling. Payton has been fairly maniacal about burying his head in the play sheet throughout his long career as a head coach, so it will be interesting if he’s willing to cede those duties to Webb.
Play-calling has been a work in progress for the Broncos, and it hasn’t always been a smooth one. The Broncos were frequently late to get the play from Payton to Nix, and the result was occasional chaos at the line of scrimmage, although Denver did manage to speed up the process this season.
“The thing that I have to continue, that changes as you get older, is you still have to be quick,” Payton said. “It was said that as you get older, maybe you don’t drive in the rain at night. … I can’t let that happen as a play caller.”
That’s a startling admission from Payton, who hasn’t always been quick to own his apparent mistakes. It aligns with current thinking, though, as Mike LaFleur, the new coach of the Arizona Cardinals, said “the worst play call is a late play call” at his introductory news conference.
Quarterback Bo Nix showed a greater command at the line of scrimmage, but the larger priority will be what Kosmider called a “stronger identity” in the run game. Translated, that means the Broncos will try to run up the middle more, and Payton also wants more versatility in the formations from which the Broncos operate.
The technical details matter here. The Broncos started the offseason last year using a variety of outside zone concepts, but those “waxed and waned” during the season, according to Kosmider. The Broncos certainly have a bruising group up front that should lend itself to a power running game, so that may be part of the plan as well.
That emphasis on teh running game will also be connected to an effort to be more efficient in the red zone. The Broncos went 12-of-33 in the red zone this season, and they got only one touchdown catch from tight end Evan Engram, who was expected to play the “joker” role when Denver signed him. Solutions to this issue will also be a high priority for Payton and Webb as the Broncos head toward the draft, OTAs and training camp.