One of the biggest storylines to watch as the 2026 NFL season unfolds is how the Denver Broncos will perform on offense. Virtually every starter from last season is slated to return and the franchise made several big additions via trade and through the NFL Draft to boost the unit’s productivity this season.
The continuity on offense is one big reason for optimism. It’s another year of the same scheme, but one significant change looms large. At the beginning of the offseason, Head Coach Sean Payton
made it clear that Offensive Coordinator Davis Webb would be calling the plays for the Broncos’ ‘26 gridiron campaign.
Though earlier in the week, Payton did acknowledge at times, there will be suggestions [and some mandates] to what plays end up being relayed to quarterback Bo Nix’s headset. After yesterday’s practice, Webb noted that wouldn’t pose an issue for what he hopes to accomplish as a play-caller this year.
Considered a rising star in the coaching community—and a good bet to eventually earn the top role for a franchise in the near future—how Webb approaches Denver’s offensive endeavors this year will be of significant intrigue. Last preseason, he called every game, so this isn’t uncharted territory.
The Broncos begin the season on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football on September 14th. Before then, they will have three preseason games for Webb to put his play-calling vision and offensive craft to work. This coming Friday will be the first opportunity for that to transpire when they take on the Atlanta Falcons.
“I’m looking forward to everyone getting the rhythm. Our staff, our players and now the huddle. We’ll learn something every game, every drive. Then we’ll kind of review it as the game goes and especially postgame and try to get three good opportunities before Kansas City on Monday Night Football,” stated Webb.
“It will be rocking, and I know they’ll be a good team. It’ll be a good opportunity for us to kind of feel that out because most of these practices are scripted, and we kind of know what we’re going to run and they kind of know what they’re going to run. We’ll see what happens in a few weeks,” added Webb.
Improvement in the passing game is an absolute must for the Broncos’ offense to get to the next level. In order to make that happen, they made a big splash trading for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. With Waddle in the mix, Denver is now five-deep at receiver with Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant.
Waddle and Sutton figure to be Denver’s top duo. Though it’s uncertain how target share will unfold thereafter. Either way, Mims, Franklin, and Bryant are all talented and add unique dimensions to Denver’s offense. All things considered, it’s safe to say the Broncos have no shortage of weapons at the position to help Nix make a jump in his third season as the franchise’s signal caller.
Yet success in the run game will be just as critical if Denver hopes to be a Top 10 group this season. The Broncos drafted Washington Huskies standout Jonah Coleman in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft to bolster their running game. Alongside veteran J.K. Dobbins and second-year pro RJ Harvey, Coleman’s nose for the endzone and ability to run effectively between the tackles should improve Denver’s ground attack efficiency this year.
The rookie running back has impressed in camp thus far. However, Webb acknowledged that the depth beyond the aforementioned trio. Players like Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie, in his opinion, makes them arguably the deepest and most well-rounded stable of running backs in the NFL.
“Name six running backs on an NFL team that are as good as our depth right now,” remarked Webb.
The Broncos have today off and will have three practice sessions, Monday through Wednesday, before they take on the Falcons on Friday. It’s been a long offseason wait, but we are just days away from real football. I’m looking forward to seeing what Webb can dial up on offense. Sure, it’s just the preseason, but hopefully we see some creativity and aggression right out the gate.
