The Denver Broncos’ offense had its absolute worst half of the young season against the Los Angeles Rams in a Sunday night game, getting outgained by over 200 yards at halftime. That kind of offensive meltdown is ringing alarm bells across the league, and all eyes are squarely on head coach Sean Payton, who made the unprecedented move of handing over playcalling duties to offensive coordinator Davis Webb this season. After an incredible 2025 where Denver went 14-3, hopes for a Super Bowl run in 2026 were sky-high, but the early returns are looking grim.
Webb’s Playcalling: A Step Back for Denver
The struggles started right out of the gate for Bo Nix and company. They came out slow in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs. That sluggishness continued the next week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, though they did manage to pull that game out late. But the offensive unit just hasn’t clicked, culminating in that embarrassing first half against the Rams. Fans and media are already making Webb a popular scapegoat, and it’s not hard to see why when the offense looks this disjointed and ineffective. You just can’t expect to win when you’re getting outgained by 200 yards before the third quarter even starts.
Payton’s Faith in Webb Now Under Fire
So, why did Payton, a longtime veteran playcaller, give up the reins for the first time in his head coaching career? He wanted to keep Davis Webb as his offensive coordinator and genuinely felt Webb was capable. Back in February, Payton said, “I think it’s going to help our team and I’ll do whatever it takes to support him.” Before the season, he gushed about the 31-year-old Webb’s “great lineage,” “I.Q.,” and experience as a former quarterback and coach with the Bills and Giants, calling it a “gift” of “ability and talent.” Payton’s goal was clearly to oversee Webb’s development while still aiming for wins. The problem is, this is Webb’s first time calling plays in the NFL, and the offense is undeniably struggling.
If the Broncos offense doesn’t turn things around quickly, the calls for Payton to take back playcalling responsibilities are only going to get louder. With Super Bowl aspirations hanging in the balance, the big question is how long Payton will let this experiment continue before he steps back in. The season is young, but the pressure is already immense.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply