Friday Faceoff: With training camp starting next week, which Broncos figure is under the most pressure in 2026?

Paul Klee, sports editor

Answer: Davis Webb

If all goes according to plan, Davis Webb won’t be the offensive coordinator of the Broncos in 2027 and Sean Payton will be back to calling plays for Bo Nix.

Instead, Webb will be a head coach in one of the many places he has ties.

It could be with Tampa Bay, where he would reunite with former Texas Tech teammate Baker Mayfield. Or it could be with the New York Jets, for whom he played in 2018. Or it could be in Cincinnati, where All-Pro quarterback Joe Burrow has missed three straight postseasons. All those jobs could be available to the 31-year-old Webb — if all goes according to plan.

So what’s the plan?

The plan has Webb flourishing after assuming play-calling duties from Payton. Talk about pressure. In fact, it’s the most pressure on a Broncos play-caller since the front office nudged Gary Kubiak to start Paxton Lynch over Trevor Siemian. Kubiak stuck with Siemian then resigned, citing health reasons.

That was the official word, anyway.

Worried about Webb? Don’t be. This is one smart cookie. His Texas football buddies tell me he’s “insanely prepared” and “obsessed with ball.” They joke he’s an actual hoarder with playbooks going back to Pee Wee ball.

There are concerns with the Broncos, starting with that first-place schedule.

Ask me, and Webb’s play-calling is not one. He’ll soon have big options.

But Sean Payton peeking over your shoulder? When the head coach called some of the NFL’s best offenses for two decades? Now that’s pressure. 

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Chris Schmaedeke, digital sports editor

Answer: J.K. Dobbins

When J.K. Dobbins was on the field for the Broncos, their offense was so much better.

The Broncos need the 27-year-old to be in the backfield so there is plenty of pressure on the running back to stay healthy — something he has rarely done across his six-year NFL career.

Denver re-signed Dobbins after he put up 772 yards in 10 games last season. When Dobbins suffered a foot injury in a 10-7 win over the Raiders, Denver’s running game disappeared. That was very evident in a AFC Championship Game loss to the Patriots.

The Broncos clearly have faith in Dobbins or they wouldn’t have rewarded him with a new contract. Denver did draft running back Jonah Coleman and have second-year player RJ Harvey behind Dobbins, but that’s a lot of inexperience for a team with Super Bowl dreams.

Dobbins has missed games every season and it would be crazy to think he won’t again. He has to be healthy for the stretch run and the playoffs. Denver missed him in the postseason last year.

With a new play-caller in Davis Webb, who does have his own pressure this season, Dobbins can be a calming factor on offense. Denver struggled on first down at times and Dobbins ripping off 5 yards would be helpful.

He just needs to be on the field.