The Denver Broncos are moving in a different direction, firing offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi after a devastating low-scoring loss in the AFC Championship.
The Denver Broncos have made a change to the coaching staff after suffering a heartbreaking 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots in the American Football Conference Championship.
Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi has been fired, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
After having just 181 yards of total offense in the biggest game of the season, the Broncos are parting ways with Lombardi after three seasons on the coaching staff. Coach Sean Payton hired him to the role when he was brought in by Denver in 2023.
Despite Payton being the play-caller, Lombardi was instrumental in several ways for Denver. He operated as Payton’s “right-hand man” and helped structure the weekly offensive game plan, in which he would help draw up specific plays and concepts from various formations.
Lombardi is also responsible for second-year quarterback Bo Nix’s assent as one of the National Football League’s premier young QBs. Lombardi helped Nix become more comfortable in the pocket, reduce poor footwork and have better focus while thinking less.
Though Lombardi didn’t call plays, he was an important assistant to Payton. Payton didn’t have to worry about much besides drawing up plays, while Lombardi was tasked with getting personnel groups right as well as organizing the structure of the offense.
The Broncos had a fantastic season in 2025 and many could argue that they would be playing in Super Bowl 60 two weeks from now had it not been for Nix’s soul-crushing, season-ending ankle injury. But, injuries are part of the game and the team was forced to turn to backup QB Jarrett Stidham, who hadn’t thrown a pass in-game in two years.
Stidham got off to a great start, finding receiver Marvin Mims Jr. for a 52-yard gain that set up a six-yard Courtland Sutton touchdown to open the scoring. Unfortunately, those were the only points the Broncos scored on the day.
Denver’s offense was 10th in total yards per game (342.6), 11th in passing yards per game (223.9), 16th in rushing yards per game (118.7) and 14th in scoring (23.6 points per game). It’s a bit shocking that the team parted ways with Lombardi, but after a tough loss, the organization felt that someone had to go.
Maybe even more so, the team fears the possibility that QB coach Davis Webb could leave and become a different team’s offensive coordinator. This firing could be a ploy to keep Webb around and promote him to the OC role, but time will tell what the franchise decides to do.
Note: The Broncos also parted ways with wide receivers coach Keary Colbert and cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch.