Sean Payton ranks second among all returning NFL head coaches.
That, per Pro Football Focus’ offseason ranking which came out on June 24.
Denver Broncos fans are likely happy with the job Payton has done, but even Denver die-hards may be surprised that the head man is so high on the list.
Sean Payton ranks second among returning NFL head coaches
Andy Reid is still the best coach in the National Football League, but right behind him is Sean Payton, who ranks second.
Reid remains rightfully atop the league due to the great job he did with the Chiefs last year. They were one of the worst offensive teams he’s had in Kansas City, and yet, his great coaching helped them reach yet another Super Bowl. A Super Bowl the Chiefs lost in blowout fashion, much to the delight of Denver fans.
No one can deny the job Payton has done in Denver the last two years, though.
He’s turned a terrible team around in breakneck fashion. They were 5-12 in 2022 and then 8-9 in 2023, coming decently close to making the playoffs that year. Even when he was doubted by the Las Vegas oddsmakers last summer, Payton pushed the Broncos to the playoffs for the first time in eight years.
His work in developing Bo Nix as a rookie was phenomenal.
From PFF:
Payton and Nix turned out to be a match made in heaven, giving Broncos fans a vision of Payton renewing the success he cultivated for so long in New Orleans. Denver’s defense was still strong last season, and Nix’s excellent 1.8% turnover-worthy play rate perfectly represented a team that didn’t beat itself. The Broncos lost only two games all season by more than one score, defeats to AFC elites Baltimore and Buffalo. Denver has only added more talent this offseason and should continue to contend with its elite head coach leading the way.
It’s something that probably doesn’t get talked about enough with Nix; his lack of turnover-worthy plays. Yes, the kid is a human highlight reel whether he’s passing or taking off on the ground. He even caught a touchdown last year!
But Nix can make explosive plays while also limiting the drive and game-killers. That’s another testament to Payton’s coaching.
Denver Broncos future bright with Payton as coach
After walking away from the Saints in 2021 and being out of the league in 2022, some wondered if Sean Payton still had what it takes to be a top-tier NFL head coach.
In his two years with the Broncos, he’s proven he definitely does.
He made the most out of very little with Russell Wilson as his quarterback in 2023. And he did the same last year, considering the Broncos had Courtland Sutton as a proven offensive weapon, and not much else. He took a team with dominant defense and a faltering offense and improved their weaknesses with a quickness.
In fact, Payton should be credited for Marvin Mims’ breakout season and the second-year receiver was also the best YAC+ receiver in the NFL last year.
And now, thanks to help from George Paton, the Broncos offense has been transformed with new playmakers like J.K. Dobbins, Evan Engram, and R.J. Harvey. It will be exciting and interesting to see what Payton does with his new weapons this year.
And while the defense also added superb players–and will certainly be a top-5 unit in 2025–Sean Payton also rapidly improved Denver’s special teams unit.
Good coaches focus only on their field of expertise. While great coaches know it takes a team that’s strong in all three phases to win consistently in the NFL.
The Broncos are in the process of improving in all three phases and will continue to content as long as Sean Payton is head coach.
Sean Payton ranks second among returning NFL coaches per PFF Mile High Sports.
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