Overview
- The Broncos announced that Payton will call offensive plays beginning in Week 5, a change confirmed on Oct. 10 and in effect for the game at the Los Angeles Chargers.
- Davis Webb will keep the title of offensive coordinator and continue to lead game planning, mentor quarterbacks, and work on the sideline while Payton has final say on in-game calls.
- Denver’s offense has underperformed through four games, ranking near the bottom in scoring, total yards, rushing yards, QBR, and Offensive EPA, which prompted the move.
- Payton said players, including quarterback Bo Nix, reacted with disappointment and self-blame, and several analysts have pointed to Nix’s conservative downfield decision-making as a key proximate problem.
- The Week 5 game at SoFi Stadium is cast as the immediate test of whether Payton’s return to calling plays revives the offense and whether the team will prioritize changes to the running game or personnel next.