Former Sean Payton QB Calls for Coach to Be Benched Amid Broncos’ Offensive Struggles

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is facing some serious heat, not just from fans, but from one of his former quarterbacks. 

As Predominantly Orange noted, Ben DiNucci, who spent time under Payton’s system in a backup QB role in 2023, took to social media to voice what many in Broncos Country have been feeling all season: it’s time for Payton to give up play-calling duties. 

The frustration has boiled over as Denver’s offense continues to sputter despite having one of the NFL’s most respected offensive minds calling the plays. 

DiNucci publicly called for quarterbacks coach Davis Webb, who handled play-calling during the preseason, to take over. 

“Payton’s offense just isn’t clicking,” one fan replied to DiNucci’s post. “At least Webb had these guys moving the ball in August.”

Even those loyal to Payton are starting to question whether his grip on the offense has become part of the problem and if he is the reason this talented Broncos unit is underachieving. 

Broncos’ Offensive Struggles

Through the first seven games of the season, the Broncos are averaging 23.3 points per game (17th) and 302.0 total yards per game, numbers that point towards an offense that is still searching for its rhythm.

For a team led by one of football’s most respected offensive minds, Denver’s struggles have been alarming. 

Denver’s third-down conversion rate is 29.17% (28 of 96), among the league’s worst, a key reason drives continue to stall. 

Protection has been leaky as well as they have allowed 34 sacks for 202 yards lost on the season. 

The Broncos also sit at –2 in turnover differential and 29:02 in average time of possession, both indicators of an offense that struggles to sustain drives. 

Explosiveness has not been there for Denver’s offense.

 The Broncos are averaging just 179.9 passing yards per game and 93.3 rushing yards, with a modest 3.8 yards per carry. 

For a team built around Sean Payton’s offensive creativity, those totals tell a different story. Denver’s offense is moving the ball at only 302 yards per game, while opponents are racking up 354.1 yards, meaning the Broncos are consistently losing the field position and time of possession battle. 

Broncos Outlook 

Context matters: this is still a winning team. 

Compared to Sean Payton’s usual standard where his Saints offenses consistently ranked among the NFL’s top 10, Denver’s current unit feels underwhelming. 

Sitting 17th in points per game, the Broncos have been solid but far from the high-powered attacks that Payton was once known for. 

With a 5-2 record and a defense holding opponents to 18.1 points per game, an average offense may be enough to get to the playoffs but any Super Bowl ambitions will require turning that 29.17% third-down rate and negative turnover mark in the right direction. 

DiNucci’s critique resonates because the data does. Denver’s defense has given them a cushion; the offense now has to match it. 

Despite the Denver Broncos‘ offensive struggles, head coach Sean Payton stated on Monday in a press conference that he has no plans to give up his play-calling duties. 

When asked if he had considered handing the duties off, he replied, “No, I think we’re comfortable as an offensive staff of how we’re operating.” 

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