The Denver Broncos have fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, a league source told The Athletic on Tuesday.
The move comes two days after the Broncos’ 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Denver posted a season-low 181 total yards in what was backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham’s first start of the year. The contest was also played in sub-freezing temperatures and saw an uptick of snow and wind in the second half. Stidham stepped in place of starter Bo Nix, who broke a bone in his right ankle on the final series of Denver’s 33-30 overtime victory against the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round.
It was clear when Broncos head coach Sean Payton addressed the media following Sunday’s loss, and then again on Tuesday, that changes were coming for the Broncos’ offense, be they schematic or with personnel.
It turns out that it will all start with a search for a new offensive coordinator.
Lombardi has spent more than a decade coaching for Payton, including the last three years in Denver. He also coached alongside him in various roles across two stints in New Orleans that spanned two seasons. But the Broncos, despite going 14-3 and earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC, weren’t as consistent offensively as Payton wanted them to be, and he’s seeking a fresh perspective to help him improve the team’s scheme around Nix.
On Tuesday, Payton sounded particularly frustrated with a running game that was inefficient during Denver’s playoff run.
“There’s probably a series of answers to that,” Payton said. “What we’re doing, I feel like we’re far enough along with the RPOs and some of that, but when we want to run it under center and control a game, we’ve been able to do it a few times, but not as much as I’d like. That’ll be an important study and with urgency, and then also with the runners, who are we asking (to do what). Losing J.K. (Dobbins in Week 10), obviously, that was a tough loss. He brought a lot to the locker room, more than you would know. But that’ll be one of the points of emphasis that I think that we research and look into heavily. I want to play from the gun, but I also will always want to play with a two-back or multiple tight end mindset, have that flexibility. It’s a good question. I think it’s one of the key things that we have to do this offseason.”
Payton was also frustrated with the frequent drops this season. The Broncos were among the league leaders in the category this season and failed to complete at least three catchable passes in the 10-7 loss to the Patriots.
If the Broncos look internally to replace Lombardi, quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Davis Webb would be a logical candidate — if he doesn’t take a job elsewhere. Webb had a second interview with the Las Vegas Raiders for their head coaching job Monday. Zach Strief, the team’s offensive line coach and running game coordinator, could also make sense as a replacement. The job does not come with play-calling responsibility, as Payton has filled that role since he first became a head coach in 2006.
The Broncos finished 14th in total points in 2024, and Payton believes the Broncos need to improve that standing substantially next season.