The Denver Broncos head into 2026 with a bit of clarity-and a lot of questions-on the coaching front. While much of the league leaned hard into offensive-minded hires this offseason, Denver’s defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is staying put. He didn’t land any of the ten open head coaching jobs, which means the Broncos retain some continuity on that side of the ball, a quiet win for a team still searching for its full identity.
But on offense? That’s where things get interesting.
Sean Payton made sweeping changes to his offensive staff last week, and the headline move was promoting Davis Webb to offensive coordinator. Webb, a former quarterback and most recently Denver’s passing game coordinator, now steps into a much bigger role-one that could include calling plays.
That’s a big “if,” though, because Payton has long been known for keeping a tight grip on the play sheet. He’s been the primary play-caller for most of his head coaching career, and he’s not exactly known for delegating that responsibility.
Still, Payton seems aware that something needs to shift. Last season, the Broncos struggled at times to get plays in on time, leading to confusion and rushed decisions at the line of scrimmage. It was a work in progress, and while things improved as the year went on, the delays were enough to impact rhythm and execution.
“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 rare bit of self-reflection from Payton, who typically doesn’t wear his mistakes on his sleeve. But it underscores a broader point that’s echoed across the league.
As new Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur put it during his introduction: “The worst play call is a late play call.” In today’s NFL, tempo and timing aren’t just preferences-they’re necessities.
Quarterback Bo Nix showed signs of growth in commanding the offense at the line, but Denver’s next step isn’t just about execution-it’s about identity. And that’s where the run game comes in.
The Broncos are looking to establish a more defined, physical ground attack. That likely means more inside runs and a shift toward power concepts, especially behind a line that has the size and strength to thrive in that style.
Last offseason, the team experimented with a mix of outside zone runs, but those concepts came and went over the course of the year. Now, the plan appears to be more focused: run with purpose, run with power, and do it from a variety of looks.
That kind of versatility could also help where the Broncos have struggled most-inside the red zone. Denver converted just 12 of 33 red zone trips into touchdowns last season, a number that simply has to improve.
Tight end Evan Engram, brought in to be a dynamic “joker” piece in the offense, found the end zone only once. That’s not the kind of production you expect from a player with his skill set, and it’s something Payton and Webb will need to address as they build out the 2026 version of this offense.
With the draft, OTAs, and training camp on the horizon, the Broncos are clearly in the middle of a transition. They’ve got a young quarterback trying to take the next step, a new offensive coordinator with a lot to prove, and a head coach who seems to be wrestling with how much control he’s willing to give up. But if they can find cohesion-especially in the trenches and in the red zone-they might just carve out a new offensive identity that sticks.