Jared Dubin of CBS Sports just dropped his NFL offense rankings for the upcoming season, and Denver's offense landed in a baffling slot at No. 15. This is a head-scratcher for anyone who’s been paying attention to what the Broncos have been building, especially with their defense being one of the best for a couple of seasons now, and nothing has happened to suggest that changes in 2026.
Seriously, What Was Dubin Thinking?
The general vibe in Broncos Country has been all about excitement, especially with the addition of wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Fans believe this team can compete with anyone, expecting Waddle to bring that much-needed offensive boost. So, when Dubin put them in the middle of the pack, people were bound to scratch their heads. His explanation? He wrote that the Broncos would rank higher "if it weren't for their insistence that it will actually be Davis Mills calling the plays and not Sean Payton." Dubin then stated, "we give all first-time play callers an average grade, no matter how sought after they were on the market the previous offseason." He even claimed that with Payton calling plays, Denver would jump to somewhere between fourth and fifth in these rankings.Promoting Davis Webb Was a Power Move, Not a Penalty
Here's the kicker: Dubin clearly meant Davis Webb, not Mills, but the core of his argument is just lazy. Penalizing Denver for promoting Webb to offensive coordinator and putting him in charge of play-calling was arguably the best move they made all offseason. Sean Payton, a guy respected as one of the best offensive minds for decades, didn't have to give up play-calling. But he did, and that tells you everything. He recognizes the impact a new mindset in that department can have. Webb isn't just anyone, either. He was on a short list of head coaching candidates, which is wild because he hadn't even been a coordinator yet! Denver recognized that talent and made the promotion. To write them off because of this switch in play-calling leadership makes absolutely no sense, especially when you consider their elite offensive line is arguably the best in the league. This kind of ranking just throws shade where it doesn't belong. The Broncos could seriously have a top-five offense this season, paired up with one of the league's best defenses. Sure, they have to prove it on the field, but discounting them right out of the gate for trusting a rising star like Davis Webb is a wild take. Now, it's up to Denver to go out there and show everyone why this early ranking was dead wrong.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.