Now that the Broncos’ season has officially wrapped, their coaching staff is on the radar across the league - and one name drawing attention is Davis Webb.
Webb, Denver’s offensive pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, is reportedly in the mix for the Raiders’ head coaching vacancy. When asked about that possibility during his season-ending press conference, Sean Payton didn’t mince words.
“It’d be a pain in the ass for him,” Payton said.
He’s not wrong. If Webb were to take the job in Las Vegas, he’d be stepping into one of the toughest neighborhoods in the NFL.
The AFC West isn’t just competitive - it’s a gauntlet. You’ve got Andy Reid’s Chiefs, perennial contenders with Patrick Mahomes still very much in his prime.
Then there’s Jim Harbaugh, now taking over the Chargers with a fresh vision and a franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert. And of course, Payton himself is working to get the Broncos back into playoff form.
For Webb, that’s six division matchups a year against three of the more respected coaching minds in football. Not exactly a soft landing for a first-time head coach.
And that’s before you even get into the state of the Raiders’ roster. There’s talent, sure, but also plenty of holes - and no clear long-term answer at quarterback. Whoever takes over in Vegas will need to navigate a rebuild while trying to stay competitive in a division that doesn’t offer much breathing room.
There’s also a bit of history here. Over two decades ago, Sean Payton was in a similar spot.
He was a candidate for the Raiders’ head coaching job, but ultimately passed after some sage advice from Bill Parcells - advice that may have included a warning about the challenges of that particular role. Payton waited, and eventually landed in New Orleans, where he built a legacy with the Saints.
You have to wonder if Payton would offer Webb the same kind of guidance now. And if the Raiders do extend an offer, it’ll be fascinating to see whether Webb heeds the warning - or dives headfirst into one of the NFL’s most demanding gigs.
Either way, if Davis Webb ends up staying in the division, he won’t just be facing familiar opponents - he’ll be facing some of the sharpest minds in the game, twice a year, in high-stakes matchups. And for a young coach looking to make his mark, that’s both a challenge and an opportunity.