The Raiders and Broncos share the AFC West with the Chiefs and Chargers, making it a very competitive division. Payton knows firsthand that Crosby’s move to the AFC North means he won’t have to face him anymore.

Insider Jay Glazer, via his X account, shared a humorous anecdote revealing a curious comment from Payton regarding the pass rusher’s move to the Ravens. Payton jokingly offered to pay for Crosby’s flight just so he wouldn’t have to see him in the AFC West anymore.

“Sean Payton called me soooo fired up the Raiders traded Maxx Crosby and even just texted Maxx saying he’s offering to pay a private plane one-way flight to Baltimore, happy to see him out of the division. Funny. But also added, ‘You are an inspiration to watch and compete against.’ Payton has long raved about how Maxx never slows down during games.”

AFC North adds another elite pass rusher

The AFC North has officially become a gauntlet for quarterbacks following the blockbuster trade that sent Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens. By joining the reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and the perennial sack leader TJ Watt in the same division, Crosby rounds out a terrifying trio of elite pass rushers that will haunt the North for years to come.

While every offensive line in the division is now on high alert, no one stands to lose more than Joe Burrow. Facing these three generational wreckers twice a year each means the Bengals’ star will spend a quarter of his season under the most intense pressure in the NFL, turning every divisional matchup into a literal fight for survival.

Payton said the team was “able to (run under center) a few times, but not as much as I’d like.” And he wants to do it more often this next year. “That’ll be an important study, and with urgency,” Payton said.

Denver’s 64.9% under-center run rate was high enough to crack the NFL’s top ten, but it paled in comparison to the Rams, who led the league with a dominant 87.3%, according to ESPN’s Jeff Legwold. Doing this would make running back RJ Harvey a name to watch for next season.

How was RJ Harvey in his rookie year?

RJ Harvey was a highly-touted rookie and while he had great moments, he didn’t live up to all expectations. Harvey had 146 rushes, for 540 yards and seven touchdowns. He was also used on the receiving department, though. Harvey had 47 catches for 356 yards and five touchdowns. Hence, while he didn’t get to 1,000 scrimmage yards, he still had 12 touchdowns.

If the Broncos really made the change, it would benefit Harvey. If Sean Payton leans into more tight-end usage and under-center looks, it could provide the spark Harvey needs to bounce back from last year’s underwhelming 3.7 yards per carry he had.

There’s also another RB that could feature for the Broncos

Before Harvey took control of the backfield, NFL veteran JK Dobbins was incredibly effective. However, he suffered a season-ending injury. Dobbins had 772 yards in nine starts. Dobbins is now a free agent.

However, he has stated he would like to come back to the team. Dobbins will still weigh his options. What’s certain is that the Broncos will change their running style and Sean Payton is a very good play designer, so the Broncos could have a much more dynamic style next season.

Earlier this offseason, the Broncos announced the departure of Keary Colbert, their wide receivers coach. His unit ranked among the worst in the league in 2025, and he has since joined the Baltimore Ravens.

With the position open, Sean Payton turned to a familiar face. Denver has hired Ronald Curry as its new wide receivers coach, aiming to bolster Bo Nix’s offense ahead of the upcoming season.

The Broncos need a more reliable wide receivers corps

During the 2025 NFL season, the Broncos were rumored to be exploring options to add another wide receiver. They reportedly attempted to trade for the Miami Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle, but the asking price proved too steep.

Despite not landing Waddle, Denver still reached the AFC Championship Game with its existing receiving group. However, as the season concluded, it became clear that Bo Nix needs more consistent weapons at his disposal.

Whether through external additions or internal development, improvement is necessary. The Broncos’ receiving unit ranked among the league’s worst in dropped passes in 2025 — a concerning statistic for a quarterback who showed significant growth despite inconsistent support.

Ronald Curry is expected to help change that narrative. The former wide receiver spent the past two seasons as quarterbacks coach for the Buffalo Bills, working closely with Josh Allen during a very solid stretch of his career.

Curry previously served as wide receivers coach under Sean Payton in New Orleans from 2018 to 2020. Now, he faces the challenge of building a more dependable receiving corps in Denver — one capable of elevating Bo Nix and helping the Broncos compete for a Super Bowl in 2026.

According to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette, the Broncos have interviewed Davis Webb for the OC job. Webb is actually the pass game coordinator/quarterbacks coach for Denver. Per Tomasson, Webb is the “leading candidate” to get the position.

He is the third candidate to be interviewed after Ronald Curry and Brian Johnson. Webb was one of the names that popped up during this year’s coaching carousel. He is seen as one of the most brilliant, young, innovative minds in football.

Webb has to live up to his potential

Being an OC in the NFL is no easy job, although having Sean Payton as your mentor will surely help out. Webb was getting head coaching interviews, including the Bills. That’s how good of an image he is forming within the NFL confines. Now, if he gets the promotion, he will have to deliver.

The playcalling duties are Sean Payton‘s, however, Webb should be heavily involved in the game planning and scouting weaknesses in opponents defenses. Webb is a former NFL quarterback, and he quickly became a coaching prodigy after his retirement. The 31-year-old played two years in the NFL but had plenty of seasons on the Bills and Giants’ practice squads.

The Broncos also got an update on the DC job

Much was said about the future of the team’s defensive coordinator, Vance Joseph. However, after the HC landscape has just one vacancy on the Raiders, and it seems to be Klint Kubiak’s future job, Vance Joseph will be returning as the Broncos DC.

Under Joseph, the Broncos defense ranked second in total yards and rushing yards allowed, seventh in passing yards allowed, and the third-best scoring defense in the NFL. Having Joseph back is a huge win for the Broncos on their quest to go back to the AFC Championship Game.

In an extremely tight game affected by weather conditions, when the Broncos had a chance to take a 10–0 lead with a potential field goal, the seasoned coach decided to go for it on fourth down—a move that ultimately didn’t turn out in their favor.

“I don’t know which is the greater regret, the decision — certainly the play call,” Payton said via nbcspots.com. “We used a timeout. Probably what irks me more is the call, more than the decision.”

That specific play put the coach at the center of criticism, something he eventually said didn’t bother him—although it’s clear he would have preferred to make a different decision than the one he ultimately did.

“There are those moments you wish you had back,” Payton also added. “I don’t pay attention to all the criticism. If I paid attention to that, I don’t know that we’d ever be in this position.”

Will Sean Payton return to the Broncos next season?

Sean Payton signed a five-year contract with the Denver Broncos in February 2023, a deal reportedly worth between $17 million and $20 million per year, which currently keeps him tied to the franchise through the 2027 season.

Given the team’s impressive performance during the 2025 campaign—where they secured a 14–3 record, the AFC West title, and a spot in the AFC Championship Game—his position as head coach is extremely secure.

Both Payton and General Manager George Paton have already begun outlining plans for the 2026 season, focusing on aggressive free agency moves and the further development of young quarterback Bo Nix. Consequently, there is no doubt that Payton will continue to lead the team next year as they look to build on their recent postseason success.

After the Broncos’ win over the Bills, it was confirmed that Nix suffered a fracture in one of his ankles. The injury required surgery, and according to insider Adam Schefter on X, the QB will be sidelined for at least 12 weeks.

With this news confirmed, any miraculous theories suggesting that Nix might still be able to play in a potential Super Bowl if his team defeats the Patriots today at Empower Field at Mile High are now dashed.

Full confidence in Stidham

Bo Nix’s significant setback left many in the Broncos’ facilities stunned. However, Sean Payton, a seasoned veteran of the league, has full confidence in what Jarrett Stidham can bring to the team.

“I’m not worried about Stiddy in this game,” the experienced head coach Sean Payton told reporters Friday via ESPN.com. “I’m worried about everyone else and how we play. That really is the truth.”

One step away from the goal

The Denver Broncos will face the New England Patriots today, Sunday, January 25, 2026, at Empower Field at Mile High. Kickoff for this AFC Championship thriller is set for 1:00 PM local time (3:00 PM ET), with Colorado’s own Nathaniel Rateliff scheduled to perform a powerful rendition of the national anthem just before the action begins.

The absence of their star player is undoubtedly a significant loss for the Broncos. However, another obstacle could challenge the team: the forecast calls for extremely difficult weather conditions in Mile High.

While the frigid temperatures expected during the game could pose a challenge for the home team, Sean Payton drew on his experience to assure that the Broncos will be prepared for any eventuality.

“I think it’s impacted more by rain. Really, cold is relative,“ Payton said on Friday. “So we deal with the elements, though, and we’re used to playing in cold weather here. We’re used to playing in nice weather. I think it’s relative when you talk about, like, Cincinnati Bengals playoff cold, which I think was the all-time coldest game in our history. We’ll be prepared for that.”

Temperatures at game time are expected to range between 16 and 19 degrees, with a high chance of snow. A scenario the Patriots are more accustomed to, unlike the Broncos.

Stidham is the Broncos’ big hope

As the Denver Broncos prepare for a high-stakes AFC Championship showdown against the New England Patriots, all eyes are on Jarrett Stidham, who has emerged as the team’s beacon of hope following Bo Nix’s season-ending ankle fracture.

Stepping into the spotlight with a Super Bowl berth on the line, Stidham is tasked with leading an offense that lost its primary engine during the Divisional Round win over Buffalo.

Despite the immense pressure of replacing a record-setting QB, the veteran remains unfazed and deeply committed to his teammates. In a recent press conference, Stidham revealed his biggest motivation by stating: “It means a lot, any time you step into a situation like this, I just want to go out there and play the absolute best I can for the guys in this locker room,” signaling that his drive comes from a desire to finish what Nix started.

A ticket to Super Bowl LX is on the line. The Patriots visit the Broncos in an NFL showdown that has enough storylines to become an instant classic. However, New England isn’t letting Payton’s latest statement go unnoticed. Instead, Boutte answered Payton with a chip on his shoulder.

“They can rest in Cancun, too, at the end of the day,” Boutte told reporters when asked about Payton’s recent message. Boutte and the Patriots will take on Payton’s Broncos in the AFC Championship Game on January 25 at 3:00 pm ET.

Payton’s message

As the Broncos gear up for their first AFC Championship game appearance since the 2015 NFL season, Payton issued a powerful order to the fans to bring their A-game to Empower Field at Mile High. As Payton confidently stated, fans will have more than enough time to rest later.

“They’re going to have plenty of rest after this one. Two weeks,” Payton said, suggesting Denver will advance to Super Bowl LX, which will be held on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Boutte sets record straight

After his response went viral all over social media, Boutte rectified his message through his Instagram account. “I was saying it’s ‘win or go home’, so you’ll rest regardless. (Expletive) got blown out of proportion,” Boutte wrote on an Instagram story.

“He’s got this calm demeanor that I think suits him well. He’s played in big games in college football. I said this at the start of the season, I felt like our two was inside the best 32. I think everyone feels that way, but that’s why that signing was important. You don’t know when it’s happening, but I’m glad it happened. That acquisition.”

Nix was injured during overtime in the game against the Buffalo Bills. Although at first there were no signs of a problem, Payton confirmed after the victory in Denver that Bo needed surgery.

Who will be starting quarterback for Broncos vs Patriots?

Jarrett Stidham will be the starting quarterback for the Broncos against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. In recent days, Sean Payton has spoken highly of him, even though he hasn’t taken a snap in nearly two years.

Are the Broncos underdogs vs Patriots in AFC Championship Game?

Yes. The Broncos are 5.5-point underdogs before facing the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Bo Nix’s injury has caused an impressive seven-point swing, making Drake Maye’s team a clear favorite.

The Broncos QB depth chart took a hit without Nix but Payton isn’t accepting defeat just yet. “In fairness to what you’ve seen, which is very limited, he’s ready. He’s ready,” Payton said about Jarrett Stidham. “I’ve said this at the beginning of the season, I feel like I have a [No.] 2 [quarterback] that’s capable of starting for a handful of, a number of teams. I know he feels the same way. So watch out. Just watch.”

Payton said at the beginning of the year that he thought he had a Super Bowl roster and they are one game away. Also, Payton really trusts in his backup so much that Stidham’s contract makes him one of the highest-paid QB2s in the NFL, bagging $6 million a year.

Is Stidham capable of guiding the team?

Stidham hasn’t thrown a pass since Russell Wilson was on the Broncos. That’s two years ago. However, Payton does think Stidham is good. Not only did Payton say Stidham could be the starter for a handful of teams, he also then said, “And listen, ‘Stiddy’ is ready, and we’ll be ready for the next challenge.”

It’s not the first time the Broncos have had to provide crucial updates on key players. However, this is by far and away the most important one given the fact that it’s on the quarterback position. The Broncos will host the AFC Championship game, but even with that, it will be an upside hill.

Broncos will have to revive the running game

With Stidham under center, the Broncos must feel like they need to run the ball rather than to make their quarterback throw it 35 times. Howeves, since the middle of December, the Broncos have ran for more than 116 yards just once.

The Bills had one of the most vulnerable run defenses in the NFL, and the Broncos only ran 70 yards on them, averaging just 3.1 yards per carry. Now, Payton must look heavily into reviving that part of the offense to not put pressure on Stidham.

According to NFL+, Sean Payton became the second coach in NFL history to win 13+ games in at least five seasons. The other only coach to do so is the legendary Bill Belichick, who in fact did it seven separate times (2003, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2017).

As for Chiefs’ Andy Reid, he has four. Payton managed to do it in 2009, 2011, 2018, 2019 and now 2025. However, if Payton gets a win in Week 18, it would be the first time he has a 14-win season.

Belichick won’t add any more to his record

Now the UNC coach, Belichick is probably never going to return to the NFL. Hence, his seven seasons are pretty much set in stone. As for Payton, there is plenty of time for him to catch up to him.

Payton has plenty of time catch up to Belichick. However, it will take a lot as he is in a very tough division where he will fight with Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, and Jim Harbaugh, Justin Herbert and the Chargers for the foreseeable future. Still, Payton has accomplished an incredible feat with the Broncos this season.

What other coaches are near this feat?

As mentioned before, Andy Reid has four seasons with 13+ wins. Besides him, there is work to be done. Among active NFL coaches, Mike Tomlin only has one 13-win season, such as Pete Carroll. John Harbaugh has two.

Sean McDermott has three of those seasons, while Sean McVay has only one. Kyle Shanahan has two, and Jim Harbaugh has one. However, there is one intriguing name. In only seven years as a head coach, Matt LaFleur has three 13-win seasons already, therefore, he is poised to get at least two more in his career.