The Denver Broncos took a big swing when they brought in Sean Payton-and it’s looking more and more like they hit it out of the park. After years of instability on the sidelines, Denver made a bold move by trading for the former Saints head coach.
Not only did they land a proven winner, they even ended up with a draft pick that turned into cornerback Riley Moss. That’s a win-win.
Now, the Broncos are preparing to host the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round, marking their second straight playoff appearance. That might not sound monumental at first, but it’s the first time Denver has gone back-to-back in the postseason since the 2014-2015 seasons. In a league where consistency is king, that’s a big deal-and it speaks volumes about the job Payton has done in reshaping this franchise.
When Payton arrived, the Broncos were coming off another losing season, part of a stretch that had fans wondering when the next real contender would emerge in Denver. Fast forward two years, and the team has nearly doubled its win total under his leadership.
That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a product of vision, accountability, and a head coach who knows exactly how to build a winning culture.
Of course, Payton’s résumé was already impressive before he ever stepped foot in Denver. His run with the New Orleans Saints was nothing short of legendary, capped by a Super Bowl win in the 2009 season.
That title game, played in February of 2010, cemented his status as one of the league’s elite minds. Now, 16 years later, he’s chasing something no head coach has ever accomplished-winning a Super Bowl with two different franchises.
Think about that for a second. In all the years of the NFL, no head coach has hoisted the Lombardi Trophy with two different teams.
Payton has a legitimate shot to be the first. His career totals-193 wins including playoffs, a .630 regular-season winning percentage, and 11 playoff appearances in 18 seasons-speak for themselves.
Since taking over in Denver, he’s gone 32-19 overall, with a 24-10 mark in the regular season dating back to the start of 2024. That’s elite-level production.
Still, if there’s one blemish on Payton’s record, it’s his postseason track record outside of that magical 2009 run. He’s 9-9 in the playoffs overall, and aside from that Super Bowl-winning season, his teams have gone just 6-9 in the postseason. It’s a stat that critics point to, but let’s be real-just getting to the playoffs 11 times in 18 years is something most coaches can only dream of.
Payton isn’t shy about legacy talk, and he shouldn’t be. He could walk away from the game tomorrow and be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
But there’s clearly something still driving him in Denver. Yes, it’s about winning another ring-but it’s also about proving that his success in New Orleans wasn’t just a byproduct of having Drew Brees under center.
This run with the Broncos is about legacy, no doubt. But it’s also about proving that Payton’s football mind, his culture-building, and his leadership translate anywhere. And if he can finish the job in Denver, he won’t just be remembered as a great coach-he’ll be remembered as a history-maker.