Sean Payton is the head coach in Denver. Everyone knows that. But the real edge the Broncos might have heading into 2026 isn’t just Payton’s reputation. It’s the two guys running his offense and defense.
Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated just ranked coordinator duos across the league, and he put Denver at the top. That’s not a throwaway take either. He spent real time breaking down what Davis Webb and Vance Joseph are doing.
Webb got promoted from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator earlier this offseason. That’s a big deal for a guy who was already being talked about as the next hot coaching name. Manzano ranked him 10th among offensive coordinators. But the context matters more than the number. Payton handed Webb the play-calling duties. That’s not something Payton does casually. He’s a control-heavy coach who likes his fingerprints on everything. Giving Webb the keys says a lot.
“It wouldn’t be a surprise if these two coordinators are head coaches in 2027, especially if the Broncos go on another lengthy playoff run,” Manzano wrote. “Webb is regarded as the league’s next offensive guru, a thought that was validated after Payton promoted him from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator to avoid losing him. Payton handed play-calling duties to Webb, a move that is not easy for any coach.”
Over on defense, Joseph came in second in Manzano’s rankings. Which is kind of wild when you remember Joseph got fired as Denver’s head coach after the 2018 season. Most guys don’t come back to the same building after that. But Joseph did. And it’s worked out.
“Most coaches don’t return to places where they were fired, but Joseph put his pride aside in ’23 and made the most of his opportunity,” Manzano noted. “His defense continues to reach new levels every year and ranked near the top in many statistical categories last season. Denver was second in yards allowed (278.2) and third in points allowed (18.3) per game last season.”
That’s not just good. That’s elite. And it’s not like Joseph is coasting on one good year. His defenses have gotten better every season since he took over as coordinator in 2023. The numbers back it up.
The real question is whether this coaching advantage translates into a Super Bowl run. Denver has the talent on both sides. The schedule will be tough. But having a coordinator tandem that rivals anyone in the league is a nice problem to have. Webb and Joseph are both going to get head coaching looks soon. The Broncos just need to make it count before that happens.
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