Denver, CO
Broncos’ Pro Bowlers embrace Davis Webb’s potential play-calling ascent: ‘It’d be awesome’
SAN FRANCISCO, California — A knowing smile flashed across Garett Bolles’ face at the simple mention of the name “Davis,” the offensive wunderkind with a new role but uncertain responsibilities in Denver’s building.
Bolles, the Broncos’ rugged left tackle, is 33 years old. A full two years older than the 31-year-old Davis Webb. Both were drafted in 2017: Bolles, a first-round offensive lineman, Webb, a third-round quarterback. Fast-forward to the present , and Bolles is about to play a 10th NFL season with Webb as his new offensive coordinator in Denver.
So what of the possibility that Sean Payton could hand over the play-calling reins to Webb, too?
“It’d be awesome, man,” Bolles said Monday after the AFC’s Pro Bowl practice, grinning. “DW is the best. We love him. I’m excited to see what he can do for us.”
On Monday, nearly 1,000 miles away from a rapidly-changing facility in Denver, the Broncos’ best and brightest gathered at the Moscone Center in San Francisco for a couple of days of Pro Bowl festivities and basking in football regality. Bolles was having more fun than anyone, palling around with fellow Pro Bowl contemporaries and snapping the ball during the AFC’s walkthrough. Receiver Courtland Sutton caught a few half-speed passes from former Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco, now a veteran with the Cincinnati Bengals. Defensive lineman Zach Allen played in an afternoon Dodgeball game and accidentally beaned another Pro Bowl lineman in the face.
Still, widespread mirth masked an unmistakable melancholy. All of them wished they were in the Bay Area for a few days longer, a week after an AFC title-game loss to New England that ended their season short of a Super Bowl.
“I just try to avoid the Super Bowl ads and everything as much as possible,” Allen told The Denver Post. “Every time (I) see it, I get pretty upset. Maybe after the game, I’ll calm down a little bit.”
Aftershocks from that Patriots loss have rippled through the Broncos’ staff. Denver fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, receivers coach Keary Colbert and cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch. Senior offensive assistant Pete Carmichael and defensive passing-game coordinator Jim Leonhard left for jobs with the Buffalo Bills. But Denver has ensured a couple of key coaching retentions, as Payton officially hired Webb as his OC Monday — in a move that could signal Payton is ready to pass off play-calling duties for the first time in an 18-year head-coaching career.
Broncos lifers are on board.
“Whatever happens, happens,” Sutton told The Post when asked about Webb potentially being his play-caller. “I love Davis, and so if he gets the opportunity to call the plays — I think he has the heartbeat of the offense. And so everybody’s going to enjoy having him, if that is what winds up happening.”
The Broncos, too, will all but surely see Vance Joseph back as defensive coordinator in 2026. After two straight seasons in command of the NFL’s No. 3 defense, the league’s head-coaching carousel spun through 10 jobs without any team hiring Joseph.
“Selfishly, I’m not (upset),” outside linebacker Nik Bonitto told The Post, “because I love VJ. And I love having him be my DC. But, no, his time will come soon, for sure.”
It’s slightly bittersweet. Joseph was one of the NFL’s hottest coaching names at the start of the cycle, and received interview requests from six of seven initial teams with head-coach openings. But interest quickly fizzled, and Joseph was left on the outside looking in again. Not a single Black candidate was hired this cycle.
“He deserves it,” Allen said. “I mean, he would make an incredible head coach. He’s a leader of men. Like, he checks every single box. I don’t know what the teams are looking for.
“But for us, it’s good news,” Allen continued. “So we’ll take it, however it plays out. So, yeah. He definitely deserves a shot. But the fact that we get to steal another year of him, we’ll take it.”
Allen called Joseph “the top assistant coach in football,” and he and Bonitto both lauded the benefit of continuity for Denver’s defense under Joseph in 2026.
“I know all the defensive guys are excited,” Bonitto said of Joseph’s return, “so it’s going to be really good.”
With Webb and Joseph entrenched, Denver will now turn its attention to free agency, needing to make decisions on a slew of key in-house free agents. And just the same as with staff, players continue to advocate for retention in the building, as the Broncos try to build past a No. 1 seed and a sudden end to 2025.
“I think getting Nik signed, getting Zach signed, myself getting signed — I think getting those guys signed was huge,” Sutton said. “And I think we’re going to have another big offseason of signing guys back that helped us, and will continue to help us.”
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Denver, CO
Simpson’s excursions from Boulder to Denver were …
Simpson’s excursions from Boulder to Denver were almost always to watch the Nuggets or the Avalanche. (One of his teammates, Luke O’Brien, was an especially big Avs fan.) He has an old Snapchat post from Ball Arena saved to his phone. “I’m gonna play here one day,” he had posted. “I didn’t know I meant I was gonna be a Denver Nugget, you know?” he said, laughing. “I just meant in the NBA.”
Denver Post
Denver, CO
Denver area events for Feb. 21
Denver, CO
NFL Mock Trade: Detroit Lions Deal David Montgomery to Denver Broncos
NFL Free Agency is set to start on March 11, and with free agency will come plenty of trades. One player whose name has already popped up in trade rumors is Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery. In 2025, he saw a diminished role in the offense, and Lions general manager has already spoken about potentially moving Montgomery somewhere where he can see more usage.
“Those are conversations that we’re going to have to have because I’ve got a lot of respect for that player,” Holmes said. “He deserves to be in a situation where his skill set can be utilized. And so yeah, would love it for it to be here, but if it can’t be here, then you would have to just see what you can work out the best for him.”
There is one team that will be in the market for a running back and could make a strong push to acquire him.
Denver Broncos – Detroit Lions Mock Trade
Denver Broncos Receive
RB – David Montgomery
Detroit Lions Receive
Third Round Pick – 2026
Fantasy Football Impact
Montgomery would thrive in Denver. He would fit well in Sean Payton’s scheme, not only as the power back, but he could also serve as a much better pass-catcher than most give him credit for. The move would also see him go from the clear secondary option in Detroit to the best running back on the Broncos. This would be a big win for Montgomery owners. The only people who would be upset are the RJ Harvey owners, but they never had realistic expectations and will probably be disappointed regardless. Adding Montgomery would also make life easier for quarterback Bo Nix.
Why The Trade Makes Sense For The Denver Broncos
Sure, they have Harvey, but he’s not a special back. Even if he is the next Alvin Kamara, Payton would still want his Mark Ingram to run his offense. JK Dobbins, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Tyler Badie are all set to be free agents this season, so this RB room needs to be rebuilt both at the top and for depth. Harvey can have a niche role, but Montgomery can produce on early downs, near the goal-line, and in the passing attack.
Payton wants to run the ball and hasn’t really had the backs to have massive success in the rushing attack since coming to Denver. The duo of Montgomery and Harvey could be exactly what he needs. They also have two fourth-round picks this season, including the New Orleans Saints’ pick, so they can afford to lose a third for a player like Monty.
Why The Trade Makes Sense For The Detroit Lions
The writing on the wall is already there for Montgomery to be traded. He wants to move on, and they want to move on. Jahmyr Gibbs has become inevitable, and the Lions have to get the ball in his hands as often as possible. That leaves Montgomery as an overpaid running back without a role that justifies keeping him. A Day 2 pick for a 29-year-old running back that the whole league knows you want to trade is a nice deal for Detroit.
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