The Denver Broncos' first game of 2026 was the regular-season play-calling debut of offensive coordinator Davis Webb in the regular season. Despite one good touchdown drive, the Broncos' offense could never seem to get off the ground in a 31-10 drubbing at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Many fans and pundits have criticized Webb's first game
, but there have been voices of support in favor of Webb keeping the playsheet.After ESPN analyst Pat McAfee suggested coach Sean Payton could take back the clipboard and playcalling, NFL insider Ian Rapoport defended the first-time playcaller.
"I hope not," Rapoport said when asked if Payton could back those duties. "Everything you're saying is true and accurate, and like, this should be a major discussion
point today when you have kind of the offensive performance you have, this should be the conversation. But I hate it.
"I do, because Davis Webb is a really good young coach. Sean Payton did this for a good reason. He probably would have lost him if he didn't make him the playcaller. You wanna keep good, smart coaches in your building, and as good of a playcaller as he is, he is just as good an evaluator of coaches. He knows what he has in Davis Webb."
"Davis Webb is a really good young coach and Sean Payton did this for a really good reason..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 15, 2026
Sean Payton is a great evaluator of coaches and he knows what he has in Davis Webb" ~ @RapSheet #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/1rNnOmdZLC
While in the minority of those who believe Webb should retain those duties, Rapoport was steadfast in his support of Payton and Webb in their respective positions. "It is also not a one-week thing," Rapoport said. "Playcalling is hard... but it is going to get better.
Rapoport also supported Webb on ESPN's Big Day show:
“What Sean Payton did was evaluate coaches like he evaluates players and say, ‘I would rather give up play-calling, than lose this guy.’”@RapSheet breaks down Davis Webb being in his first season as the Broncos OC under Sean Payton ✍️ pic.twitter.com/KLZFeP2INq
— Big Day (@BigDayESPN) September 15, 2026
Webb will have his first chance to bounce back against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Ian Rapoport still believes Davis Webb is the right coach for the job
