As play-calling change, Bo Nix sees Sean Payton as high-level QB coach

Much has been made about the Broncos making a big change on their coaching staff this offseason. Not only is Davis Webb replacing Joe Lombardi as Denver’s offensive coordinator, but he’s also taking over as the the team’s primary play caller, supplanting Sean Payton.

The importance of that move can’t be overstated. Throughout Payton’s entire career as an NFL head coach, from 2006 to 2025, he was the one calling the plays. He’s built his legacy on the offensive side of the ball, building high-flying attacks with Drew Brees at the helm in New Orleans. In the last two years, Payton guided an offense led by a young quarterback, helping Bo Nix throw for 7,706 yards and 54 touchdowns during his first two seasons in the league.

Now, it’ll be up to Webb to take the offense to the next level. In 2025, they averaged 23.6 points per game, good enough for 14th in the NFL. Cracking the top 10 would be a big step.

Meanwhile, Payton will still play a big role. In fact, it might be even more important this season.

According to Nix, Payton relinquishing the play-calling duties will free him up to do other things. The primary item on that list is helping his young quarterback continue to develop.

“I’m excited,” Nix said about getting more personal attention this season from Payton. “He can really challenge me to be better. He can look at things that he hasn’t gotten to look at the last couple of years because he’s been worried about the entire offense.”

While that’s been part of the equation during the last two seasons during practices, it’ll now translate to game days. That’s where the biggest change will be seen.

“He’ll be able to give me the knowledge that he has without having to worry about giving me the play or worry about looking at someone else’s alignment or worrying about a blocking scheme,” Nix explained about how Payton’s role will be impacted. “He can just straight up watch me and give me the knowledge that he has of the quarterback position.”

That will be invaluable. It’ll allow the quarterback to tap into the head coach’s vast experience.

“He played it; he coached it,” Nix said of the QB position. “Now, he’s able to get back to his roots.”

It’ll take Payton back 30 years to his role at the University of Illinois. It’ll harken back to his first three stops in the NFL, to the job he filled as an assistant coach in Philadelphia, New York and Dallas.

“He’s almost a little bit like a quarterback coach,” Nix explained. “He can tell me exactly the things that I need to get better at. It frees him up to watch other things.”

According to the QB, that’ll allow Payton to get back to one of the things he does best.

“He does a great job evaluating,” Nix said. “He’s going to continue to use that strength and that gift.”

Hopefully, it’s one that gets passed on to the young quarterback. If so, it’ll be great news for the Broncos.