Why P.J. Locke took a big step on defense when Sean Payton became the Denver Broncos’ head coach

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — It wasn’t a coincidence P.J. Locke went from a journeyman backup to locking up the Denver Broncos‘ starting safety job in Sean Payton‘s first 12 months in town.

Before Payton took over the Broncos in 2023, Locke had played in a total of 47 games in Orange & Blue. Yet he had zero starts. Not a single one.

In Payton’s first season in the Mile High City, the 5-foot-10, 202-pound safety racked up eight starts in just 12 games he played in.

That didn’t happen by accident.

“He began to create that vision for himself, to his credit,” the head coach said following the Broncos’ OTA practice on June 4, talking about Locke taking a bigger role on defense in 2023. “[He was] closer to the ball as a pressure player, also in coverage. [It is] great to see him out there healthy. I think he earned some of those snaps and the confidence level for him.”

The saying goes consistency is key. Well, for Locke, the saying would be confidence is key.

“He’s one of the players when I talk about, ‘You see confidence through demonstrated [ability].’ He saw it and felt it and then we saw it. It’s pretty powerful,” Payton added about the 27-year old. “He’s smart and he’s tough.”

Racking up 22 tackles and playing in 10 percent of the defensive snaps in 2022 wasn’t what gave the 2019 undrafted safety the confidence he needed to take a massive leap in 2023. It was Payton’s confidence in him that gave him the boost.

“He just gave me some confidence that he has confidence in me. That goes a long way with me. When a coach has confidence in me, it’s gives me a boost of energy and confidence in myself. When I play confident, I’m dangerous,” Locke said about his relationship with Payton. “I have the upmost respect for Coach Payton. We had plenty of talks about just my journey getting to the NFL.”

The two first hit it off away from the football field when Payton and many Broncos players flew across the country to show support for one of Locke’s mentors, Justin Simmons.

“The first time I remember talking to him for a long time about his role was when we were on a plane to go to Justin’s father’s funeral and his grandmother’s funeral,” Payton explained. “P.J. Locke was on that plane, and we had a long conversation about that. Those are snaps he’s earned, and he’s put himself in a good position.”

Less than a year after that conversation, in a massive surprise to Locke, Payton and the Broncos moved on from Simmons. To fill the big shoes left by No. 31, the Broncos will turn to Locke, not just as a player, but as a leader too.

“I think that P.J. is a guy that you feel it from,” Payton said during OTAs, pointing directly to Locke when asked who on defense he believes will help fill Simmons’ leadership role.

Payton put his confidence in Locke last year on the field. That paid off. Now, the head coach appears to be doing the same with Locke’s leadership in the hopes he takes a similar jump in that regard.

P.J. Locke went from a special teams contributor to a hopeful leader of the defense in less than one year. The secret ingredient in that sizable jump was confidence from his head coach.