Even though a whole lot of folks had been advocating for it since very early last season, when Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton finally announced he was relinquishing play-calling duties last week, it caught everyone outside of Dove Valley by surprise. Few thought Payton, dubbed an offensive genius by many during his days in New Orleans, would ever give up the glamour of being the one calling the plays. His ego wouldn’t allow it.

But he did – or he is – starting next season. Payton said it’s because of his strong belief in the play-calling talent of young offensive coordinator Davis Webb. He also said it’s best for the team. And while he’s probably right about that – and about Webb – those aren’t the only reasons.

For starters, Payton knows full well this will still be his offense. Nothing about that will change one bit. Payton will design the plays, and probably sequence them ahead of time, too. While Webb will be the one sending them into the quarterback (hopefully at a crisper pace), you can bet that Payton will be listening to the calls on his headset and will retain his veto power.

So while he may be giving up the initial play-calling duties, Payton won’t be hands-off when the Broncos have the football. As long as he’s in Denver, this will be his offense; no matter who actually calls the plays themselves.

But what makes this the best move for the team also makes this the best move for the veteran head coach. It frees him up to be the overseer head coach he’s supposed to be.

Sure, there are successful head coaches who still call the offenses, and for that matter, some who call their defenses, too. Some guys can make it all work. But they aren’t the majority. The majority are like major-league baseball managers, none of whom also coach third base – and for good reason; it’s too easy to get caught up in calling plays and forget about things like using your timeouts wisely. There’s just too much else going on during a game – things like managing the sideline, the clock, time outs, substitutions – planned and unplanned – that need his full attention.

Last season, the Broncos offense didn’t exactly hum along. They often got bogged down by needless delays in getting plays sent in. Rarely did the Denver offense find a rhythm. If the calls from the sideline are coming in quicker, it gives the quarterback an advantage when he’s reading the defense before the snap.

If Webb is successful, it will not only help the Broncos’ offense, but it will also help Webb become a future NFL head coach.

It will also help Payton.

He’s trying to become the first head coach to win a Super Bowl with two different teams. Do that, and he’s a lock for the Hall of Fame, regardless of whether or not he called the plays. This move could be the best thing he can do for his own legacy.

There was some talk this past Broncos season about Payton hiring a “game management coach” for the sidelines. As a matter of fact, he just did. That’s his job now, just as it should be.