The Denver Broncos have made a significant coaching change in the aftermath of their AFC Championship Game loss.
Denver fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi on Tuesday, according to NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. The team later confirmed Lombardi’s dismissal and also announced it has parted ways with wide receivers coach Keary Colbert and cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch.
Lombardi’s three-year run in Denver ended on a sour note following Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots. The Broncos managed just seven points, failed on a pivotal fourth-down attempt and totaled only 181 yards in a game played amid a second-half snowstorm. Denver was also forced to start backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham after Bo Nix was sidelined by injury.
The uneven offensive performance in the title game mirrored a broader theme from the 2025 season, when the Broncos never consistently found an offensive rhythm to complement one of the league’s top defenses. That imbalance ultimately led head coach Sean Payton to move on from a longtime trusted assistant.
The timing of the decision also comes as Broncos passing game coordinator Davis Webb — a popular candidate in this year’s hiring cycle — interviews for the Las Vegas Raiders’ head coaching vacancy, underscoring the shifting dynamics within Denver’s staff.
Lombardi did oversee measurable improvement during his tenure. The Broncos climbed from 26th in total offense in 2023 to 19th in 2024 and reached 10th in 2025. Those gains came amid significant change, including the end of the Russell Wilson era, Bo Nix’s rookie season in 2024 and what appeared to be a step forward in 2025.
Still, Denver’s leadership opted for a reset. Lombardi departs after 12 seasons working alongside Payton between New Orleans and Denver, as the Broncos look for a new offensive voice to help push a promising roster toward the next level.
