Sean Payton: Davis Webb’s New Role Changes Things for Bo Nix

For the most part, Denver Broncos fans are excited about the prospect of new offensive coordinator Davis Webb calling the play. Few are looking at this situation from the perspective of the Broncos dispensing with one of the best play-callers of the past 20 years in favor of a first-timer.

Sean Payton is known as one of the best to ever do it. Meanwhile, Webb has never called plays in the NFL and is only three years into his coaching career.

And yet, Payton is passing the baton because he has confidence in Webb and believes it'll be a net positive for the Broncos. One big question, though, is how Webb as the play-caller will impact third-year quarterback Bo Nix.

Payton addressed the issue on Tuesday from the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix, AZ, reminding everyone that Nix has a new position coach in the quarterbacks room: Logan Kilgore, a former pro quarterback himself, like Webb.

“I think it changes for Davis and Bo a little. Bo is in there with Logan Kilgore now," Payton said. "Logan will be his warm and fuzzy. Now, Davis and myself will be like, ‘Hey! What are you…’(Laughs)."

Nix and Webb have forged a great relationship over the two years they've worked together. Webb was Nix's position coach for his first two seasons, and while he's been promoted to offensive coordinator, he'll still be in most of the same meetings, and he'll still be working hand-in-glove with Nix, especially on gameday.

" I think they have a great relationship. There’s a cohesiveness, in general, with our sides of the ball," Payton said of Webb and Nix. "I’ll still be working in every one of the offensive meetings. I just think that it’s… I’m glad we have Davis coming back, and I think that that experience will only help us.”

Payton Will Still Be Involved in Everything

When he broke the Webb news back at the NFL Combine in February, Payton also emphasized that he'll still be involved in the play-calling. He might step in and call a few plays per game. But overall, it'll be Webb's show.

Payton expects this change-up to redound to the Broncos' benefit. It might take a few weeks of the regular season for Webb to find his play-calling footing. It might not, though. He could hit the ground running.

Webb's Areas For Improvement

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 16: Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb calls plays vs. the Arizona Cardinals in preseason action. | Dustin Bradford / IMAGO / Icon Sportswire

As a former quarterback himself, Webb has a unique vantage from which to view these plays and how and why they're called in-game. That's an invaluable insight for Nix.

Based on last year's offense, the Broncos could use major improvements in their downfield passing, middle-of-the-field usage, and running game. With Jaylen Waddle in the fold, that alone should help with the explosive element of the Broncos' new-look offense.

But Webb will have to get with Nix on how to better utilize tight end Evan Engram. He was woefully underutilized in 2025, his first year with the Broncos.

J.K. Dobbins's return to the Broncos will immediately improve the Broncos' rushing efficiency. But Webb has a nut to crack there because the rushing offense wasn't so efficient when Dobbins went down with an injury, and there's a very real threat of that happening again, considering his history.

The Takeaway

It's going to be fun to see how it shakes out. If there are any misgivings about Payton giving up the play-calling, though, just remember that he'll still be there to nudge and help Webb at every turn, and if things for some unforeseen reason fly off the rails, he'll be there to take back the play-sheet.

Let's hope it doesn't come to that. I don't expect that it will.

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