Sean Payton Does Tremendous Job with the Denver Broncos

In the NFL, turning a struggling franchise into a contender often hinges on finding the right head coach—and for the Denver Broncos, that coach has been Sean Payton. Since joining the team in 2023, Payton has revitalized the Broncos’ culture, refined their on-field strategy, and guided them to their best start in nearly a decade (8-2 through Week 10 of 2024). Sean Payton Does Tremendous Job with the Denver Broncos isn’t just a tribute to his wins; it’s a recognition of how he’s fixed longstanding issues—from quarterback inconsistency to defensive miscommunication—by combining his Super Bowl-winning experience with a willingness to adapt to the Broncos’ unique strengths. For a franchise that had missed the playoffs since 2015, Payton’s arrival has been a turning point, proving that with the right leadership, even the most stubborn rebuilds can yield results.

Sean Payton Does Tremendous Job with the Denver Broncos begins with his work to rebuild the team’s culture, a foundational step that often goes unnoticed but is critical to long-term success. When Payton arrived, the Broncos were plagued by a lack of accountability: players missed practice, penalties were frequent, and the team struggled to close out close games. Payton changed that immediately, implementing strict but fair standards: mandatory film sessions, no tolerance for unexcused absences, and a focus on “winning the details”—like proper hydration, sleep, and nutrition. He also fostered a culture of competition, where every roster spot was earned in practice, not given based on tenure. “Coach Payton doesn’t care who you are or what you’ve done—he cares about how you perform today,” Broncos quarterback Kirk Cousins said in 2024. This culture shift has translated to on-field results: the Broncos rank 5th in the NFL in fewest penalties per game (4.8) and have won 7 of 8 one-score games in 2024, a stark contrast to their 4-7 record in close games in 2023. Payton’s ability to unify the team around a common goal—winning—has turned a disjointed roster into a cohesive unit.

Sean Payton Does Tremendous Job with the Denver Broncos next explores his offensive scheme adjustments, which have turned a stagnant attack into one of the NFL’s most balanced. Before Payton’s arrival, the Broncos’ offense was one-dimensional, relying too heavily on the run and struggling to adapt when opponents stacked the box. Payton changed that by designing a scheme that plays to his players’ strengths: he emphasized quick-read passes for Cousins (who thrives on intermediate routes), integrated more screen passes to leverage running back Javonte Williams’ YAC ability, and created “red zone packages” that highlight tight end Greg Dulcich’s size in the end zone. The results have been impressive: the Broncos rank 10th in points scored (26.1 per game) and 9th in third-down conversion rate (41.2%), up from 22nd and 25th, respectively, in 2023. Payton’s scheme is also flexible—he adjusts based on the opponent: against the Kansas City Chiefs’ aggressive pass rush, he used more rollouts to get Cousins out of the pocket; against the Las Vegas Raiders’ weak run defense, he leaned on Williams to control the clock. This adaptability has made the Broncos’ offense hard to predict and even harder to stop.

Sean Payton Does Tremendous Job with the Denver Broncos highlights his in-game decision-making, a trait that has turned potential losses into critical wins for the Denver Broncos. Payton is known for his bold calls—like going for it on fourth down in enemy territory or calling a trick play in the red zone—but he doesn’t take risks blindly; every decision is based on film study and situational data. In the Broncos’ Week 6 win over the Chiefs, for example, Payton called a fake punt on fourth-and-2 from the Broncos’ 40-yard line in the third quarter. The play worked, with punter Riley Dixon connecting with linebacker Alex Singleton for a 15-yard gain, setting up a touchdown that gave the Broncos a 17-14 lead. In Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers, he opted to go for a two-point conversion late in the game to take a 27-20 lead, trusting his offense to execute—and they did, with Cousins hitting Courtland Sutton for the conversion. The Denver Broncos’ players have learned to trust Payton’s decisions, even when they seem risky. “Coach Payton has a plan for everything,” Sutton said. “He’s never caught off guard, and that gives us confidence to execute.”

Sean Payton Does Tremendous Job with the Denver Broncos examines his role in player development, especially for young talent and key contributors. Payton has a history of maximizing player potential—during his time with the New Orleans Saints, he turned Drew Brees into a Hall of Fame quarterback and transformed undrafted players like Michael Thomas into Pro Bowlers. With the Broncos, he’s done the same: he’s helped Bo Nix evolve from a backup quarterback into a clutch comeback artist, mentored rookie defensive end Sai’Vion Jones into a rotational pass rusher, and refined Williams’ running style to make him more effective in short-yardage situations. Payton also invests time in individual meetings, working with players one-on-one to fix technical flaws. For example, he spent weeks with Dulcich on his route running, helping the tight end improve his separation and increase his catch rate from 58% in 2023 to 72% in 2024. The Denver Broncos’ young players credit Payton with accelerating their growth. “Coach Payton doesn’t just tell you what you’re doing wrong—he shows you how to fix it,” Jones said. “He’s a teacher first, and that’s why so many of us have gotten better.”

Sean Payton Does Tremendous Job with the Denver Broncos concludes with his alignment with the Broncos’ historic legacy and his role in their push for a Super Bowl. The Broncos are a franchise built on winning—with three Super Bowl titles and a history of dominant defenses—and Payton has embraced that legacy, while adding his own offensive expertise. He’s balanced the Broncos’ traditional strength (defense) with a dynamic offense, creating a team that can win in multiple ways—something the franchise hasn’t had since their 2015 Super Bowl run. As the Broncos chase an 11+ win season and an AFC West title, Payton remains focused on the process, not the hype. “We’re not done yet,” he said after the Week 10 win over the Chargers. “We have six games left, and we need to keep getting better.” For Broncos fans, Payton’s tenure has been a breath of fresh air—a reminder of what the team can be when led by a coach who understands both the game and the franchise’s identity. Sean Payton Does Tremendous Job with the Denver Broncos is, at its core, a story of leadership done right: a coach who has turned a struggling team into a contender, not by changing who they are, but by helping them become the best version of themselves. As the 2024 season progresses, all signs point to Payton continuing to build on this success—and bringing the Broncos back to the NFL’s elite.