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NFL Insider Drops Stunning Update On Broncos HC Sean Payton

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Sean Payton (Photo Via Imagn Images)

Sean Payton might be taking back one of his biggest responsibilities with the Denver Broncos very soon.

Former Broncos receiver Brandon Stokley started the conversation on October 7. Stokley said he heard Payton would take over play-calling duties again in Week 5. The Broncos face the Los Angeles Chargers this week.

“I’m hearing that Sean Payton is going to be taking over play calling this week,” Stokley wrote on X. “Should be an interesting week.”

On October 8, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk backed that up. Florio said his group had “confirmed” that Payton would resume calling offensive plays.

If that happens, Davis Webb’s time calling the offense is already over. Denver promoted Webb up to offensive coordinator this past offseason and gave him play-calling duties, but it looks like Payton is ready to take back control.

Broncos Could Hand Play-Calling Back To Payton

Sean Payton during a Chiefs game.
Sean Payton. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Florio pointed to Denver’s struggles as the main reason for the possible change. The Broncos opened the season with a 31-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Denver managed just 176 total yards in that game. Kenneth Walker III alone gained 191 yards in his first game with Kansas City.

Florio also said the timing makes sense with the Chargers coming up in Week 5. The change could give Payton time to settle back into the role before Denver faces the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football in Week 6.

“Ultimately, it’s Payton’s team,” Florio wrote. “He needs to do whatever he thinks he should do to help the Broncos meet the high bar for 2026 that was created by their success in 2025. And the clock is ticking. Loudly.”

However, not everyone around the Broncos appeared to have heard about the change.

KOA’s Benjamin Allbright pushed back on Stokley’s report after it surfaced. Allbright said a Broncos source told him, “Saw that – hadn’t heard it and it didn’t look that way in practice.”

Allbright later added that the source contacted him on Wednesday night. He said the message suggested that “the whole building wasn’t on the same page.”

Payton also played down the focus on who calls the plays during his October 7 media session.

“I think our focus needs to be more on the specifics and the detail of each play regardless,” Payton told reporters. “I think the most important job I have is, really, evaluating the whys.”

Denver ranked 10th in total offense and 14th in scoring last season. Through four games this year, the Broncos rank 27th in both categories.

Now, Payton could make a crucial move as Denver looks for answers.

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