Thomas Payton worked in insurance. Casualty claims, specifically. Because of that, Sean Payton said his father raised him with as little danger as possible.
The Paytons had no trampoline, growing up in Naperville, Illinois. No swimming pool. No motorcycle. Thomas Payton’s kid knew every possible sharp corner that existed in their home. And maybe — just maybe — it explains why he reads his play-sheet the way he does, 62-year-old Sean Payton said.
“When I was younger, we’d run a reverse on the 8-yard line and then think nothing of it,” Payton recalled.
He was a 30-something offensive coordinator in New York then, and his next stop in Dallas brought the cold wisdom of Bill Parcells, who advised Payton that play-callers with overstuffed call sheets were insecure. And yet Payton’s sheer confidence — teetering into arrogance — formed an irremovable piece of his identity as a Super Bowl-winning offensive mind in New Orleans.
Two days before his latest foray into the playoffs, Payton was particularly introspective after what could stand as the Broncos’ last practice of the year. Age has brought thoughts of conservatism scurrying into the back of his mind. Of the ramifications of a trick play that doesn’t hit.
He wants that gone.
“It was said, as you get older, maybe you don’t drive in the rain at night. You begin to — I can’t let that happen as a play-caller,” Payton said.
The timing of such self-reflection was notable, on the direct horizon of an AFC divisional-round matchup against a Bills team that’ll require calls-to-the-wall swaggering from Payton. The Saints clicked into gear in 2009 and beyond by Payton throwing the entire kitchen sink at opponents. Even with a 14-3 Broncos team in 2025, he’s left more than a few items in the cupboard. The Broncos played unusually muted in two games to finish the regular season, winning the time-of-possession battle in two ugly offensive performances and wiping their hands.
On Friday, Payton made clear that Denver’s offense had to be “sharper.” A week later, he told reporters he had to be “daring at the right time” as a play-caller. His approach is clear, heading into Buffalo.
“I have to mentally make sure — it’s quick,” Payton said. “It’s quick. And decisive.”
Perhaps that’ll mean playing with more tempo, a concept quarterback Bo Nix lamented he could’ve done a better job of orchestrating in a sleepy 19-3 Week 18 win over Los Angeles. Perhaps that’ll mean dialing up more shots to take the top off the Bills’ passing game, as Buffalo will be down a notable piece in starting safety Jordan Poyer (hamstring injury). Perhaps it’ll mean more aggressiveness in specialty situations.
Definitely more aggressiveness, actually. Payton said Friday he was going to look at the past two years’ worth of third-down looks in the red zone. To wit: Denver converted just a third of its third downs against the Chargers, and went 0-of-3 in the red zone.
“I might’ve been a pain last night in the red-zone meeting, and it might’ve went later,” Payton said. “And that’s just part of the deal.”
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“I think that’s the thing,” Payton said, “that I’ve gotta focus on.”
Broncos rule out Sanders, Krull for Saturday. Two of the Broncos’ latest injury-reserve returnees won’t make their playoff debuts Saturday, as linebacker Drew Sanders and tight end Lucas Krull were both ruled out for Denver-Buffalo. Sanders, though, was officially a full participant in practice for the first time since training camp.
Starting ILB Dre Greenlaw, meanwhile, had his first full practice since injuring his hamstring in a Week 16 loss to Jacksonville, and is officially active against the Bills.
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