Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton announced Friday that he will call the team's offensive plays starting with the upcoming game against the Los Angeles Chargers. This decision comes as the Broncos' offense has struggled to gain consistent traction in the early part of the season.
Payton informed reporters of the change, which elevates his role in directing the offense. While offensive coordinator Davis Webb will still be involved in communication with quarterback Bo Nix, Payton will assume the ultimate authority on play selection. This move aims to address the team's offensive shortcomings, which have been evident in their 2-2 record.
In their two losses this season, the Broncos' offense has been held to 14 points or fewer. The team's rushing attack ranks 29th in the NFL, averaging 81 yards per game, and the overall offense is 27th, with 280 yards per game after Week 4. Payton expressed the need for greater attention to detail and a quicker correction of issues.
"I think our focus needs to be more on the specifics and the detail of each play regardless [of who's calling the plays]," Payton stated. "I think Davis is very fast, very quick, and understands what we're doing. I think that the most important job I have is really evaluating the whys."
Payton also noted the team's performance thus far is not at a championship level, emphasizing the urgency to improve. "I think, collectively, we all after a game, and after a four-game sample size, certainly this isn't championship football, what we see. How quickly can we correct those things?"
The upcoming Week 5 game against the Chargers precedes a Week 6 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, a team that currently leads the league in yards allowed per game. Implementing Payton's direct involvement in play-calling is seen as a strategic setup for facing Seattle's formidable defense.