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DENVER, COLORADO – AUGUST 26: Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi of the Denver Broncos looks on during warmups before the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Empower Field At Mile High on August 26, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos officially moved on from veteran offensive coach Joe Lombardi earlier this offseason, and it didn’t take long for him to land another NFL role.

According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, Lombardi is joining the Baltimore Ravens as a senior offensive assistant, adding an experienced voice to a young offensive staff.

The hire comes just a week after Denver reshaped its offensive coaching structure following its AFC Championship Game loss.

Lombardi, 54, spent the past three seasons in Denver and was part of a Broncos staff led by head coach Sean Payton

While Denver enjoyed team success, Payton opted to make bold changes as the Broncos transitioned into the next phase of their offense with Davis Webb as OC.

Why Lombardi Didn’t Stay Unemployed Long

From a league perspective, Lombardi’s quick landing isn’t surprising.

Despite criticism at times during his Denver stint, Lombardi remains highly regarded in coaching circles for his experience, quarterback background, and familiarity with structured offensive systems.

He has previously served as an offensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, and Broncos, and spent multiple seasons coaching quarterbacks under Payton with the New Orleans Saints.

That resume matters.

NFL staffs often value institutional knowledge and experience just as much as innovation, especially when pairing a veteran coach with a younger coordinator.

In Baltimore, Lombardi will work under first-year offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, a coach Lombardi already knows well.

The two worked together with the Saints from 2019-2020 and again in Denver from 2023-2024, making Lombardi a natural fit as a support voice rather than a decision-maker.

What This Means for Broncos Fans Looking Back

For Broncos fans, Lombardi’s move highlights an important nuance that Denver’s decision to move on wasn’t about a lack of league-wide respect.

Payton has always preferred tight control over his offenses, and Lombardi’s role in Denver reflected that dynamic.

With Payton calling plays, Lombardi functioned more as a sounding board and organizational piece than a true offensive architect.

Internally, the Broncos believed Davis Webb was too promising to risk losing, making Lombardi’s departure and Webb’s promotion a calculated but necessary move.

Lombardi’s experience may be especially valuable to the Ravens given Doyle’s youth and limited play-calling background.

Lombardi will not be calling plays for the Ravens, but his presence adds stability, preparation insight, and quarterback-development experience.

Ultimately, this is less about Denver “losing” a coach and more about Lombardi finding a new path after his unfortunate departure from Denver.

For Broncos fans, it underscores that the offseason changes were driven by the need to clear a path for Davis Webb.

It had nothing to do with any broader judgment of Lombardi’s value around the league.

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