Sean Payton on Building the Denver Broncos Culture

When Sean Payton took over as head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2024, he knew winning games would require more than just X’s and O’s—it would demand rebuilding the team’s culture from the ground up. After a period of inconsistency that left the franchise adrift, Payton set out to create a culture rooted in accountability, resilience, and collective purpose. For Payton, culture isn’t a buzzword; it’s the daily habits, shared values, and unspoken trust that turn a group of players into a team. Sean Payton on Building the Denver Broncos Culture explores his philosophy, the specific steps he’s taken to shape the Broncos’ identity, and how this cultural shift has been the foundation of the team’s 2025 eight-game winning streak. In Payton’s words, “Championships are won in the locker room first. If you don’t have a culture that demands excellence and supports each other, you’ll never win when it matters most.”

Sean Payton on Building the Denver Broncos Culture begins with the core value Payton prioritized above all else: accountability. From his first day on the job, he made it clear that no player—regardless of talent or tenure—would be exempt from responsibility. He implemented “accountability huddles” after every practice and game, where players and coaches openly discuss mistakes, take ownership of their roles, and outline how to improve. One example came during training camp in 2025, when star quarterback Bo Nix missed a key practice due to a scheduling error. Instead of brushing it off, Payton addressed the team, and Nix apologized to his teammates for letting them down. “Accountability isn’t about punishment—it’s about respect,” Payton explained in a post-practice presser. “When every guy knows he’s responsible to the person next to him, you stop playing for yourself and start playing for the team.” This focus on accountability has translated to on-field discipline: the Broncos have the fewest penalties in the NFL during the 2025 streak (4.2 per game) and have committed just 11 turnovers, a stark contrast to their 2024 season, when they ranked 25th in penalties and 22nd in turnovers. Players have embraced the culture, with defensive end Nik Bonitto saying, “You don’t want to be the guy who lets the team down. That accountability pushes you to be better every day.”

Another cornerstone of Payton’s cultural rebuild has been fostering resilience—the ability to bounce back from losses, mistakes, and adversity. Payton understood that even the best teams face setbacks, so he designed practices and team meetings to prepare the Broncos for tough moments. He introduced “adversity drills” during training camp, where the offense starts a drive at its own 5-yard line with 2 minutes left and no timeouts, or the defense must stop a opponent on fourth-and-goal. He also brought in motivational speakers—including former NFL players who overcame career-threatening injuries—to share stories of perseverance. The impact was evident in the 2025 Week 14 game against the Buffalo Bills: the Broncos trailed 21-14 at halftime, but instead of panicking, they stayed focused. Payton’s halftime speech didn’t dwell on the deficit; it reminded the team of the resilience drills they’d practiced and the trust they’d built. The Broncos went on to score 14 unanswered points to win 28-21. “Coach Payton never lets us get too high or too low,” said wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. “He teaches us that adversity is just a chance to show what we’re made of. That culture of resilience is why we’ve won so many close games this season.” Sean Payton on Building the Denver Broncos Culture highlights this focus on resilience as a key reason the Broncos have turned losses into learning moments and close games into wins.

Sean Payton on Building the Denver Broncos Culture also delves into how Payton strengthened the bond between the team and the Denver community—a connection he believed was vital to rebuilding the Broncos’ identity. He encouraged players to participate in community service, from visiting children’s hospitals to hosting football clinics for local youth, and made these events mandatory for rookies and veterans alike. In October 2025, the entire team volunteered at a food bank in downtown Denver, packing meals for families in need. Payton also revived the “Broncos Alumni Mentorship Program,” pairing current players with former Broncos greats like John Elway and Terrell Davis to learn about the franchise’s history and legacy. “A team’s culture isn’t just inside the locker room—it’s tied to the community that supports you,” Payton said during a community event. “When players see how much the Broncos mean to Denver, it gives them a greater purpose than just winning games.” For the Denver Broncos, this community connection has deepened players’ investment in the team’s success. Running back Javonte Williams, who grew up in North Carolina, said, “Meeting kids who look up to you, seeing how excited fans get when you visit their school—it makes you realize you’re part of something bigger. This community isn’t just cheering for us; they’re with us. That makes you want to fight harder for them.”

Payton also focused on building trust between players and coaches—a critical element of any strong team culture. He believed that trust couldn’t be demanded; it had to be earned through transparency and collaboration. He started “player input sessions” where offensive and defensive leaders meet with coaches to share feedback on game plans, practice schedules, and team rules. For example, after several players mentioned that early-morning practices were affecting their recovery, Payton adjusted the schedule to start 30 minutes later, with the understanding that players would use the extra time to focus on nutrition and film study. He also made a point to listen to younger players, not just veterans, recognizing that fresh perspectives could strengthen the team. “Trust is a two-way street,” Payton said in an interview with NFL Network. “If coaches expect players to trust their game plans, coaches have to trust players’ feedback. When that happens, everyone buys in.” This trust has led to greater cohesion on the field: the Broncos’ offense and defense communicate seamlessly, and players make split-second decisions with confidence, knowing their teammates and coaches have their backs. For the Denver Broncos, this trust has turned individual talent into team success. “When you trust the guy next to you, you play faster and more freely,” said center Lloyd Cushenberry III. “You don’t second-guess yourself because you know everyone is on the same page. That’s the difference between a good team and a great one.”

Sean Payton on Building the Denver Broncos Culture concludes with how this cultural shift has become the driving force behind the Broncos’ 2025 success—and why Payton believes it will sustain the team for years to come. Unlike short-term fixes that rely on talent alone, the culture Payton built is rooted in enduring values that will outlast any single season or player. As the Broncos head into the final weeks of the 2025 season and the playoffs, the culture is evident in every aspect of the team: the way players celebrate each other’s successes, the way they support each other after mistakes, and the way they approach every practice and game with the same intensity. For Payton, the greatest reward isn’t the winning streak or the playoff berths—it’s seeing the team embrace the culture as their own. “When the players start policing the culture themselves, when they hold each other accountable and support each other without me having to say a word—that’s when you know you’ve built something real,” Payton said. For the Denver Broncos, this culture isn’t just a means to an end—it’s a legacy. It’s a reminder that football is as much about character and community as it is about talent and trophies. And as long as that culture remains strong, the Broncos will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the NFL. In the end, Sean Payton on Building the Denver Broncos Culture isn’t just about a coach’s strategy—it’s about how values, trust, and resilience can turn a struggling team into a championship contender.