The Denver Broncos and the Houston Texans entered the 2026 NFL season as Super Bowl hopefuls, particularly after having suffered bitter defeats in the later rounds of the most recent playoffs.Both teams, however, have struggled through the first four weeks of this year.And now both hope making the same change will ignite their teams: The head coaches are taking back control of play-calling duties.For the Broncos, head coach Sean Payton — one of the most respected offensive minds in the game — made the curious decision to hand play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Davis Webb this year.
Payton has been asked about the switch after nearly every game this season, and on Thursday, he announced he would now be the one to call plays amid reports of a change.“Everyone is disappointed in the unit itself,” Payton said of the offense while deflecting blame from Webb.
“We’re 2-2, but we feel like there’s more there.”He added of the change: “It’s about buttoning up all the little things that keep you from sustaining drives.”Denver’s offense has been one of the least effective in the NFL this season.The Broncos ranked 27th in points and yards per game entering Week 5.The advanced stats aren’t much better, as Denver ranks 20th in expected points added (EPA) per play, per Sumer Sports.
The Broncos haven’t been able to push the ball downfield.They rank 27th in explosive play rate and 25th in yards per play, according to Sharp Football Analysis.
The passing attack’s average depth of target is only 6.01 yards, second lowest in the NFL.“I want to be aggressive,” quarterback Bo Nix told reporters Wednesday, but he added that he’s trying to find the right balance between aggression and making smart decisions.
“When it’s open, let’s hit it.But at the same time, I’ve been gotten too many times trying to do too much.
In this day and age in our offense, I don’t have to be a hero on every play.I don’t have to do too much.
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