Sean Payton Praised Denver Punter Jeremy Crawshaw

The Broncos head coach expressed confidence in his specialist despite his earlier season struggles.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Football

Sean Payton Praised Denver Punter Jeremy Crawshaw

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Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton has voiced satisfaction with the performance of punter Jeremy Crawshaw. The praise follows a period of development for the second-year player, who previously struggled with consistency.

Why it matters

Reliable punting is vital for field position, especially as the Broncos prepare for challenging weather conditions. Payton's public support signals stability in the team's special teams unit during a critical stretch of the season.

Jeremy Crawshaw has recorded 1,173 total yards across 24 punts this season. He has successfully placed 12 kicks inside the 20-yard line, frequently pinning opponents within their own 5-yard line.

The players

Sean Payton

He serves as the head coach of the Denver Broncos and oversees all team personnel decisions.

Jeremy Crawshaw

He is a second-year punter for the Denver Broncos who previously earned PFWA All-Rookie honors.

The details

After shanking three punts against the Las Vegas Raiders in November 2025, Crawshaw has evolved into a reliable asset for Denver. The former PFWA All-Rookie selection notably delivered a critical 55-yard punt during the January 2026 divisional playoff win against Buffalo.

November 2025: Crawshaw shanked three punts against the Raiders.
January 2026: Crawshaw recorded a 55-yard playoff punt against the Bills.
October 12, 2026: Sean Payton discussed Crawshaw during a conference call.

Season Trajectory

This development anchors the Broncos' special teams consistency as the team moves through the 2026 regular season. Establishing a reliable punter is essential for the team's efforts to maintain field position during a tight division race.

The Broncos' commitment to Crawshaw suggests he will remain the primary punter for upcoming games, including the high-stakes Thursday Night Football matchup. Fantasy managers and fans should note that his ability to pin teams deep remains a key defensive-support metric.

The takeaway

Consistent punting remains one of the most underrated factors in securing narrow victories. Fans should watch how Crawshaw adjusts his technique during the upcoming Thursday night game to mitigate the impact of predicted blustery conditions.