Davis Webb’s play-calling handoff is the Broncos’ biggest offensive storyline this offseason

The Denver Broncos’ offseason may not have looked dramatic on the surface, but the most important change is internal and procedural. Beginning with the upcoming training camp and rolling into the regular season, offensive coordinator Davis Webb is set to take over play-calling duties for the Broncos’ offense, an added responsibility that places him in the driver’s seat for the day-to-day decisions of game scripts.

The timing matters because Payton has built his coaching reputation around offensive planning and the habit of controlling the details. In February, Payton made the decision to relinquish play-calling to Webb, a move that surprised some observers given how long Payton has been known as an elite offensive mind. According to reporting around the change, Payton’s willingness to trust Webb with calls reflects a belief that the coordinator can run the offense effectively while still keeping the team aligned with Payton’s broader football standards.

That shift creates a clear watch point for Denver’s offense, particularly how complementary football translates from concept to execution with Webb directing plays. Following minicamp, Payton was asked whose version of the offense would be on display, and the framing from reporting was that it is still “the Broncos’ offense,” even if the mechanics of play design and call selection fall to Webb. In practice, that means the Broncos’ identity should not become a patchwork of different philosophies, but rather a continuation of the system with a different voice behind the mic.

Webb’s play-calling role also connects to the broader development arc at quarterback. Denver’s offensive progress in recent seasons has centered on helping its young report-caller play efficiently within a structure that can generate rhythm, capitalize in the red zone, and reduce preventable errors. Webb’s perspective on maximizing a passing attack has been shaped by his time around high-level quarterback play, and in conversation about Denver’s offensive personnel, he has pointed to how elite receiver play can accelerate growth.

One example came when Webb discussed parallels between a veteran No. 1 receiver and a quarterback taking a meaningful step in Year 3. Reporting from noted that Webb referenced the Buffalo Bills’ acquisition of Stefon Diggs in 2020, a move that corresponded with a breakout for Josh Allen, and connected that to the Broncos’ own offseason plan involving Jaylen Waddle. Webb’s comments positioned Waddle as an impact target whose presence can expand what a quarterback is comfortable asking for, even while the team understands there is still a long path to go.

The Broncos now enter a summer where the offense will be evaluated not just on who is on the field, but on who is shaping the flow of decisions. If the offense can sustain drives, create chunk plays without relying on forced plays, and hold up under game pressure, Webb’s first full stretch as play-caller will look more like a reinforcement than an experiment. If it struggles, the Broncos’ staff will have a much clearer starting point for adjustments, because the play-caller’s fingerprints are now central to the process.