Broncos’ Sean Payton Reflects on Costly Fourth-Down Call in Loss to Patriots
After a hard-fought loss to the Patriots, Broncos head coach Sean Payton didn’t shy away from accountability. In the aftermath, he made it clear: there were decisions he’d like to have back - none bigger than an early fourth-down gamble that didn’t pay off.
With momentum on their side and a chance to go up by two touchdowns, Payton opted to go for it on fourth-and-1 rather than take the easy points. It was a bold call - the kind that can swing a game - but this time, it tilted the wrong way.
“I’m hurting for every one of those players in that locker room,” Payton said postgame. “There’ll be a number of things when we watch the tape and I’ll look at and critique and pay close attention to.”
The Broncos had their chances, especially with favorable field position early, but the offense struggled to convert those opportunities into points. That missed fourth-down attempt loomed large as the game wore on.
“We didn’t score enough points and capitalize on that field position,” Payton acknowledged. “Starts with the head coach and rest of our staff.
I just felt like, man, we had momentum, to get up 14 [points], felt like we had a good call. I think the feeling was, man, let’s be aggressive.”
It wasn’t just a gut decision - it was one made in the context of how the Broncos’ defense was performing. Payton trusted his unit and saw a chance to take control of the game early. But in hindsight, he admitted the moment called for a different approach.
“There’s always regrets,” he said. “I felt like here we are fourth-and-1, close enough and it’s also a call you make based on the team you’re playing and what you’re watching on the other side of the ball. So, yeah, there’ll always be second thoughts.”
As the game unfolded, it became clear that every possession mattered. Points were at a premium, and that early decision to pass on a field goal became more significant with each missed opportunity.
“Became apparent that with each possession, a field goal, that type of thing was going to be real important,” Payton added. “And we weren’t able to get it done.”
It’s the kind of game that leaves a mark - not just in the standings, but in the film room. For Payton and his staff, it’s a teaching moment, one that underscores how thin the margins are in the NFL.
Chargers Defensive Coordinator Search Continues
The Chargers are still piecing together their new coaching staff, and the defensive coordinator role remains a key puzzle piece. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and then-Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson were both names to watch - though Wilson has since taken the job with the New York Giants.
With Wilson off the board, the Chargers are reportedly eyeing other potential candidates. Among them: Daronte Jones, who currently serves as the Vikings’ defensive pass game coordinator, and Jim Leonhard, who holds the same title with the Broncos.
Both Jones and Leonhard bring experience and schematic versatility, and each could provide a fresh defensive identity for a Chargers team looking to bounce back after a disappointing season.
Bieniemy Returns to Kansas City: Chiefs Reunite With Familiar Face
Eric Bieniemy is back in Kansas City, and head coach Andy Reid couldn’t be happier.
“I’ve had success bringing guys back into the fold,” Reid said. “I think everybody is excited. … I know everybody can function well together.”
Bieniemy rejoins the Chiefs after a year spent with the Chicago Bears, where he continued to build his resume as one of the league’s respected offensive minds. Now, he returns to a system he knows inside and out - and to a quarterback in Patrick Mahomes who’s already thrived under his guidance.
“He’s coming off a heck of a year with the Chicago Bears,” Reid added. “We’re glad EB was able to come back in and jump in and bring all the knowledge he has to the table.”
For Kansas City, it’s a reunion that brings continuity and familiarity at a crucial time. The Chiefs are still very much in their championship window, and bringing back a trusted voice like Bieniemy could be a key move as they look to stay ahead in a loaded AFC.