Sean Payton to reportedly take an increased role in offense after team's slow start under Davis Webb

The Denver Broncos opened the 2026 NFL season as Super Bowl contenders thanks to a dominant defense and an offense on a verge of a breakout thanks to third-year quarterback Bo Nix.

Through four games, neither side of the ball has held up its end of the bargain. The team's defense has allowed at least 24 points in three of its four games, though those have come against tough opponents.

The more concerning aspect of the team is its offense, which ranks 27th in points scored and has seen a massive decline in the run game and a lack of progression from Nix.

Because of that, head coach Sean Payton will play a larger role in the team's offense starting in Week 5, per ESPN.

The Broncos are taking a more collaborative play-calling approach this week with HC Sean Payton having an increased role in the process and OC Davis Webb continuing with a significant game-planning and game-day role, per sources. Denver is looking to spark its offense ahead of... pic.twitter.com/6y2jHZTaYn

- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 8, 2026

Based on that report, Payton will be more involved in the process, but offensive coordinator Davis Webb will continue with his usual game-day role." Webb will also reportedly be involved heavily in the team's offensive game plan.

For years, Payton has been considered one of the top offensive minds in the game. He helped Drew Brees become a Hall of Fame player, nearly made the playoffs with Jameis Winston and Trevor Semien under center and got an excellent statistical year out of a declining Russell Wilson. Prior to 2026, Payton had calling offensive plays in every single season in which he was a head coach in the NFL.

But Webb's emergence resulted in Payton finally giving up those duties. Webb, who previously served as the team's offensive pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, received multiple interviews for head-coaching jobs during the offseason. He didn't get any of those jobs, and was promoted to the Broncos' offensive coordinator after Joe Lombardi was fired. Given the amount of interest in Webb over the offseason, the team may have allowed him to take over as the offensive play caller as a way to make him happy and keep him around longer.

But that experiment hasn't gone well through four games. After leading the NFL in passing attempts last year, Nix is once again getting a ton of work to open the season. But the quarterback has taken a step back early and has put up career-low numbers in various statistical categories through four games - including completion percentage, yards per game, success rate and touchdown rate.

Despite Nix's struggles, the team hasn't adapted its play style. The Broncos have attempted just 90 rushing attempts through four weeks, which ranks tied for 29th in the NFL.

In Webb's - and Nix's - defense, the Broncos have played a murderer's row of defenses to open the year. All of the team's first four opponents rank within the top-10 in points against so far. Better things are almost certainly on the horizon for Denver no matter who calls plays moving forward.

Sure enough, the Broncos have a much easier task - on paper, at least - in Week 5. They'll take on the 0-4 Los Angeles Chargers, which have the 24th ranked defense in the NFL heading into the contest.