Despite all the hubbub on Thursday surrounding Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton's decision to take back offensive playcalling from the hands of Davis Webb, there is still reason to not write off the former quarterback and current offensive coordinator.
“I want to say this first, and I said it to Davis the other day talking to him," Payton told media members on Thursday. "I’ve done this long enough where I know when I have a future head coach, and he’s going to be one. All the things that it’s hard to find will happen. In fact, the same thing to some degree — a little bit different — happened to myself early in my career.”
Payton referred to when his playcalling duties were stripped from him in October 2002, when he was with the New York Giants.
Then-coach Jim Fassel took Payton's role away after a slow offensive start. Despite the demotion of Webb, Payton left the door open for a potential return for Webb to resume playcalling duties later in the season.
"We’re focused on this week,” Payton said. “If I’m not worth a hoot… It’s always what’s best for the team. That’s how I have to step away and look at it. I think we’ll do what’s best for the team.”
The Broncos are seeking to jumpstart an offense which has been dismal in the first half, and streaky in the second half of games through the first four weeks of the season. As a reminder, Denver did go to the AFC Championship game in 2025 with Payton behind the headset.
Payton said the decision, which was made on Monday, was relayed to players. Those in the locker room were disappointed that they could not do better for Webb when he was holding the play sheet.
"I met with Davis (on Monday),” Payton said. “He’s been fantastic. Like I said, he’s super talented. All of us, everyone’s disappointed in the unit itself. We’re 2-2, but we feel like there’s more there. He was fantastic in my meeting with him, and the approach all week has been fantastic.”
Payton noted that it was a much more difficult task to take away the role from Webb than it was to give it up originally. Since he knows what that can do to the confidence of a young up-and-coming coach, he is uniquely positioned to help Webb through this difficult transition.
Time will tell to see if the change ignites a fire inside the play and inspiration of the offense, and the Broncos as a whole.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Sean Payton still backs Davis Webb to become a head coach one day
