Broncos' Sean Payton Ranked 5th Among NFL Head Coaches

Payton's success in Denver has him among the league's elite coaches, according to NBC Sports' power rankings.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:56pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football game or match, with the players and field broken down into abstract shapes and planes of color, capturing the raw energy and movement of the sport.Payton's strategic reshuffling of the Broncos' coaching staff has positioned the team as a top contender in the AFC.Denver Today

After three seasons as the Denver Broncos' head coach, Sean Payton has the team positioned as a top contender in the AFC. Payton's 32-19 record and playoff appearances the past two years have him ranked 5th among NFL head coaches in a recent power ranking by NBC Sports' Patrick Daugherty.

Why it matters

Payton's rise to one of the league's best coaches is a testament to his ability to quickly turn around a struggling Broncos team that had missed the playoffs for seven straight seasons before his arrival. His willingness to make bold moves, like handing over play-calling duties, has also impressed analysts.

The details

Payton took over the Broncos in 2023 and has led the team to a 32-19 record over the past three seasons, including playoff appearances the last two years. He's the second-best coach in the AFC, behind only Andy Reid of the Chiefs, according to Daugherty's rankings. Payton's success has come despite some 'strange foibles' with the Broncos' offense, which has led him to make the surprising decision to surrender play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Davis Webb.

  • Payton took over the Broncos in 2023.
  • The Broncos missed the playoffs for seven straight seasons before Payton's arrival.
  • Payton led the Broncos to the playoffs the past two seasons, reaching the AFC Championship Game last year.

The players

Sean Payton

The head coach of the Denver Broncos, who has quickly turned the team into a contender in the AFC after taking over in 2023.

Davis Webb

The Broncos' offensive coordinator, who Payton surprisingly handed play-calling duties to this offseason.

Russell Wilson

The Broncos' quarterback in 2023, a combination with Payton that 'never had any chance to have any real success.'

Bo Nix

The Broncos' first-round draft pick in 2024, who helped get the team going in the right direction.

Vance Joseph

The Broncos' defensive coordinator, whose unit has been one of the best in the league.

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What they’re saying

“Sean Payton didn't need to prove anything. He's done so anyways. The last of the Parcells disciples, Payton had a .631 winning percentage with the Saints. It's .620 with the Broncos. It's actually .666 since his infamous 70-20 loss to Mike McDaniel's Dolphins in Week 3 of the 2023 season. That was Payton's wake-up call. He's been wide-eyed ever since.”

— Patrick Daugherty, NBC Sports Writer

What’s next

If Payton's decision to hand over play-calling duties to Davis Webb ends up being the move that puts the Broncos over the top and leads them to a Super Bowl win, it will only further cement Payton's status as one of the league's elite coaches.

The takeaway

Sean Payton's rapid turnaround of the Broncos, taking them from a seven-year playoff drought to a consistent contender, has firmly established him as one of the best head coaches in the NFL. His willingness to adapt and make bold moves like surrendering play-calling duties shows his commitment to doing whatever it takes to win.