The move comes after Denver's offense struggled through the first four weeks with Davis Webb calling plays, and the Broncos are 2-2 heading into a road game against the winless Chargers.
Sean Payton is done watching from the sideline. The Broncos head coach announced this week he is taking back play-calling duties for Denver's offense, a job he had handed to offensive coordinator Davis Webb in the offseason. Through four games, the offense had been inept enough that Payton decided a change was needed now rather than later.
Payton was careful to frame it as a group failure rather than pinning it on Webb alone, telling reporters Thursday it's "a collective" issue. Still, the result is the same: Payton is back in charge of the headset.
Webb didn't hide his disappointment. Asked if four games was really enough time to make the call, he said, "Luckily that's not my job, that's his job," referring to Payton. He added that it's "not ideal" to lose the role but said he plans to "be the best offensive coordinator I can be," noting the team is 2-2 against what he called a tough opening slate of opponents.
The Broncos now head to Los Angeles to face the winless Chargers on Sunday, Payton's first game back calling plays.