It's always hard to let go when you delegate one of your own responsibilities to someone new. But in the case of Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton, he is excited to mentor offensive coordinator Davis Webb in his first season as a playcaller.
In an appearance on "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd on Friday, coach Sean Payton spoke highly of the confidence he has in Webb, and he detailed situations where he may be able to give a little advice.
Cowherd asked Payton if there would ever be a situation where he might overrule Webb (such as a run to a pass), and Payton spoke about getting his start under Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells.
"I had a great three years of experience with Bill Parcells," Payton said. "Now Bill, you had commentary almost after each
call. It would be a deep breath, and then if something went well, he would say, 'Atta boy, atta boy.' It became white noise; it had to.
"I've tried to take the approach in the preseason — Davis a year ago called plays, this preseason. And it might be between series, or maybe there's a clock stoppage, and it might be me saying, 'Hey, be thinking about this,' so he understands if I'm thinking this is a four-down situation. In other words, if we're approaching a third down at the 38-yard line, I might say to him, 'Hey, I'm thinking four downs here,' that could change his third down call. That has to exist."
Payton emphasized in no uncertain terms that the play sheet is Webb's to own. But that doesn't mean Payton wouldn't give guidance to Webb throughout the process.
"I think it's more during the week; like last night in our meetings, you know, ultimately, what we put on that sheet, he has to feel good about," Payton said. "I'll go through some plays, some thoughts, that I think look good. Here's why, and I said [to Webb that] the worst thing we can do is take down and install plays that you know in your heart of heart on Sunday that you won't be interested in calling."
"I wouldn't have done it if I didn't think it was going to help us win games."@colincowherd & @Broncos HC @SeanPayton discuss his decision to hand off play-calling to offensive coordinator Davis Webb pic.twitter.com/H9JY0PJZfN
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) September 11, 2026
Payton clearly felt comfortable turning over the reins to Webb. That doesn't mean that he'll be completely cut out of the process. Instead, Payton is going to let Webb make his own mistakes and grow as a playcaller week in and week out.
Webb's first test will come against a defensive mastermind in Steve Spagnuolo in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X!
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Sean Payton discusses confidence in Davis Webb with Colin Cowherd
