2026 Week 5 Fantasy Football: Sean Payton Takes Back Play-Calling for the Broncos

Sean Payton is taking back the wheel in Denver. According to ProFootballTalk (NBC Sports), Payton confirmed at a Thursday press conference that he will resume calling offensive plays for the Broncos, reversing a decision he made this offseason to hand those duties to offensive coordinator Davis Webb. "We'll make a change offensively. I'll call the plays," Payton said. The move comes after four weeks of underwhelming offensive results. Payton added that Webb will remain involved in game-planning, but Payton will be the play-caller in quarterback Bo Nix's ear on gamedays. Denver's first test under the new arrangement is this Sunday against the Chargers.

Bo Nix

This is a buy-low signal on Nix, and possibly a significant one. Payton is one of the most accomplished offensive play-callers in NFL history, and he's explicitly saying the offense has more in it than it has shown through four weeks. If the production has been disappointing with Webb calling the shots, the floor-raising argument for Nix under Payton's direct guidance is real. The caveat: we don't know the specific nature of Denver's offensive struggles from the source story, so exactly how much of this is scheme vs. personnel vs. execution is unclear. But a head coach pulling back play-calling duties mid-season is a significant commitment — Payton clearly believes the talent is there. Nix is worth adding or moving up your lineup if you have him rostered heading into Week 5.