Denver made a stunning move just 48 hours after losing the AFC Championship Game.
The Broncos fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi on Tuesday morning, shocking the NFL world. The team also dismissed wide receivers coach Keary Colbert and cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch in a surprising shake-up.
Denver finished with the league’s best record and earned the top seed in the AFC playoffs. The timing raises questions about what went wrong behind the scenes. Head coach Sean Payton gave no hints about potential changes during his postgame comments.
Let’s dive into what led to this decision and what it means for Denver’s future.
Sudden Dismissal Catches Everyone Off Guard
The timing of Lombardi’s firing raised eyebrows across the league.
The Broncos announced the decision mere hours after head coach Sean Payton finished his season-ending press conference. Payton gave no indication during his media session that Lombardi’s job was in jeopardy. The coordinator had worked alongside Payton for 15 years across multiple organizations.
Denver finished the year with a 14-3 record, earning the top seed in the AFC playoffs. The franchise appeared poised for sustained success under Payton’s leadership. Yet the decision to part ways with Lombardi suggests deeper issues within the offensive structure, despite the team’s regular-season accomplishments.
Championship Game Performance Sealed Coordinator’s Fate
The AFC title game exposed critical weaknesses in Denver’s offensive approach.
Backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham struggled mightily after Bo Nix suffered a fractured ankle. Denver gained just 32 yards in the second half against New England’s defense in snowy conditions. The Patriots won 10-7, ending the Broncos’ Super Bowl hopes.
The offense managed only one first down after halftime in the conference championship. No possession in the third or fourth quarters exceeded 17 yards. Stidham completed 17 of 31 passes for one touchdown and one interception while also losing a fumble at a critical moment.
Defense Carried Team Throughout Entire Season
Denver’s elite defensive unit masked offensive shortcomings all year long.
The Broncos ranked second in the NFL in yards allowed during the regular season. They finished third in points allowed at 18.3 per game. The defense dominated in nearly every statistical category, ranking first in sacks and red zone efficiency.
Offensive production told a different story despite the team’s overall success. Denver ranked 10th in total yards but only 14th in scoring at 23.6 points per game. The Broncos finished 29th in three-and-outs, converting just 25 percent of drives into first downs or touchdowns.
Long History With Payton Made Firing More Shocking
Lombardi’s deep relationship with Payton went back to their New Orleans days.
The 54-year-old coordinator first joined Payton’s staff with the Saints in 2007. He served as offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach through 2013. After a stint with Detroit, Lombardi returned to New Orleans in 2016 for another five-year run.
Payton brought Lombardi to Denver in 2023 when he became head coach. The coordinator helped develop quarterbacks and the game plan each week. However, Payton maintained full control over playcalling duties during games, limiting Lombardi’s direct influence on offensive execution.
Run Game Struggles Frustrated Head Coach Most
Payton expressed particular disappointment with Denver’s rushing attack during his press conference.
The head coach met with run game coordinator Zach Strief on Monday. They discussed urgent plans for improvement heading into the offseason. Payton emphasized wanting flexibility with two back sets and multiple tight end formations going forward.
Running back J.K. Dobbins suffered a season-ending foot injury in early November. He still finished as the team’s leading rusher by 232 yards. Denver ranked just 16th in rushing yards per game, highlighting the unit’s ineffectiveness throughout the year.
Davis Webb Emerges As Potential Replacement Candidate
Quarterbacks coach Davis Webb could receive a promotion to keep him from leaving.
Webb has drawn significant interest from other teams during this coaching cycle. The Raiders have interviewed him twice for their head coaching vacancy. The Bills, Eagles, Giants, and Ravens all want to speak with the 31-year-old about offensive coordinator positions.
Denver promoted Webb to offensive pass game coordinator before the 2025 season. He has worked closely with Bo Nix over the past two years. Nix has thrown 54 touchdowns in two seasons while engineering 11 total game-winning drives under Webb’s guidance.
Other Assistants Also Face Uncertain Futures
The Broncos conducted a mini-purge of their coaching staff on Tuesday.
Wide receivers coach Keary Colbert lost his job alongside Lombardi. Payton hinted at receiver issues during his press conference when discussing the team’s drop problem. He praised the talent on the roster but avoided mentioning coaching or technique development.
Cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch was the third assistant dismissed. The defensive coaching staff otherwise remained intact after a dominant season. Denver must now conduct a full search to fill multiple positions while potentially fighting to retain Webb from division rivals.
Franchise Seeks Offensive Improvement Despite Success
Management wants more production from a unit that underperformed expectations.
The Broncos believe they have championship-caliber talent on both sides of the ball. Their defensive dominance proved they can compete with anyone. But the offense needs to elevate its performance to match that standard and contend for titles.
Payton will not surrender playcalling duties regardless of who replaces Lombardi. The new coordinator will focus on game planning, weekly preparation, and in-game communication. Finding the right voice to complement Payton’s offensive philosophy becomes crucial for Denver’s continued success.
TL;DR
- Denver fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi two days after losing the AFC Championship Game.
- The Broncos also dismissed wide receivers coach Keary Colbert and cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch.
- The team ranked 14th in scoring despite the best record in the NFL.
- Offense gained just 32 yards in the second half of the title game loss.
- Quarterbacks coach Davis Webb considered a strong candidate to replace Lombardi.
- Webb drawing interest from the Raiders, Bills, Eagles, Giants, and Ravens.
- Payton expressed frustration with the run game and three-and-out percentage.
- Defense ranked second in yards allowed and third in points allowed.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
