Broncos' Payton expected to take larger play-calling role after 2-2 start
After a 2-2 start and a poor offense, reports say Broncos coach Sean Payton will take a larger part in play-calling against the Chargers. Accounts differ on whether he is fully taking over from coordinator Davis Webb.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 1The Denver Broncos have started the 2026 season 2-2 after losing only three regular-season games in 2025, and their offense has struggled. NewsweekN “The Denver Broncos lost just three games during the 2025 regular season, but the team is already two-thirds of the way to its loss total through the first four games this season.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Mixed · 2Denver ranks 27th in both total offense (280.3 yards per game) and scoring (18.5 points per game), according to Newsweek, about 62 fewer yards and five fewer points per game than last year. NewsweekN “The Broncos rank 27th in total offense (280.3 yards per game) and scoring (18.5 points per game).” Read at Newsweek ↗ IJRRC “Denver ranks 27th in both scoring and total offense” Read at IJR ↗ Mixed · 2Head coach Sean Payton gave play-calling to offensive coordinator Davis Webb this year, after calling plays himself in 2025. Newsweek says Payton did so to avoid losing Webb to another team. NewsweekN “Payton made the decision to give him play-calling duties so as not to lose him to another team.” Read at Newsweek ↗ IJRRC “Payton called plays during the Broncos’ 14-3 season in 2025, before handing those duties to Webb this year.” Read at IJR ↗
Centre · 1ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said many around the league think Payton won't wait much longer to take play-calling back. Fowler also said it would not be an impulse decision, that Webb will likely get more time, and that "at some point the product needs to match the expectations." NewsweekN “a lot of people around the league seem to think Broncos coach Sean Payton won't wait too much longer to take play-calling back from Davis Webb”“My sense is Webb will have more time, but at some point the product needs to match the expectations.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1Newsweek notes that quarterback Bo Nix has regressed, from 231.2 passing yards per game last year to 204.7, and that the offense has scored more than 20 points only once this season. NewsweekN “His production has dropped to 204.7 yards per game this year. Denver’s offense has also scored more than 20 points just once this year.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Right · 1IJR later reported that Payton is set to take a larger role in play-calling against the Los Angeles Chargers, after a 24-14 loss to San Francisco. It said reports differ on whether he is fully reclaiming the duties or taking a more collaborative approach, and that Webb is expected to stay involved in game planning and on game day. IJRRC “Reports differ on whether Payton is fully reclaiming play-calling or adopting a more collaborative approach, but offensive coordinator Davis Webb is expected to remain involved in game planning and on game day.”“is coming off a 24-14 loss to San Francisco” Read at IJR ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Analytical piece on the offense's decline, with a speculative angle on pressure on Payton and Webb.
- Emphasis
- Statistics compared with 2025, Nix's regression, and Fowler's comments.
- Leaves out or plays down
- The later reports that Payton will take a larger role against the Chargers, which came after publication.
- Charged language
- “short leash”“fall guy”“backfired”
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Short news brief on the expected change in play-calling for the Chargers game.
- Emphasis
- Payton's larger role, uncertainty over its extent, and Webb's continued involvement.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Player-level statistics such as Nix's decline and the yardage and scoring comparisons with 2025.
- For example
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“Sean Payton is set to take a larger role in offensive play-calling against the Los Angeles Chargers” — IJR
What every side reports
- The Broncos are 2-2 and rank 27th in scoring and total offense.
- Payton called plays in 2025 and handed the duties to Davis Webb this year.
Where accounts differ
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Whether Payton fully takes back play-calling
- Centre
- Newsweek, citing ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, says Payton may soon take play-calling back but that Webb will likely get more time.
- Right
- IJR says Payton is expected to take a larger role against the Chargers, but reports differ on whether he fully reclaims it or shares duties with Webb.
Sean Payton person
Reported to be weighing or preparing to take back some or all play-calling; he is not quoted directly in the coverage.
“Payton is reportedly mulling over the play-calling situation, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.” — Newsweek
“Sean Payton is set to take a larger role in offensive play-calling” — IJR
Davis Webb person
Offensive coordinator who took over play-calling this year; he is expected to stay involved in game planning and on game day.
“offensive coordinator Davis Webb is expected to remain involved in game planning and on game day” — IJR
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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Broncos Coach Reportedly on a Short Leash Amid Team’s 2-2 Start
Critical Presents the offensive decline as pressure on Payton's play-calling decision and on Webb.
Right1 article
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IJRRC ·
Broncos Coach Payton to Take Larger Offensive Role vs Chargers
Neutral Brief report of an expected shift in play-calling, noting that sources differ on its extent.
- 7 Oct 23:03 First NewsweekN Broncos Coach Reportedly on a Short Leash Amid Team’s 2-2 Start
- 8 Oct 15:37 +16h 34m IJRRC Broncos Coach Payton to Take Larger Offensive Role vs Chargers
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.