The Denver Broncos are making moves, and this one’s got some history behind it. On Tuesday, head coach Sean Payton officially parted ways with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi - a decision that ends a 15-year professional partnership spanning two franchises and a whole lot of offensive installs.
Lombardi, who worked under Payton for 12 seasons in New Orleans and the last three in Denver, didn’t sound blindsided by the decision. In fact, he seemed to see it coming.
“Sean decided to move on, and I guess that’s all there is to say,” Lombardi said. “I don’t think it’s ever a surprise [in the NFL]. Not really… I think you could tell he was in one of those moods where he felt like some changes needed to be made, and I guess he decided one of those was me.”
That’s a veteran coach speaking - someone who’s been around this league long enough to know that even long-term relationships don’t guarantee job security. And while the timing may raise eyebrows, there’s a strategic layer to this move that goes beyond just performance.
The Broncos are reportedly looking to hold on to Davis Webb - their quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator - a rising name in coaching circles and a hot target for teams seeking a fresh offensive mind. Promoting Webb could be the play here, and moving on from Lombardi may have been the necessary step to make room.
At 54, Lombardi’s been through the NFL coaching carousel more than once. He’s left Payton’s side before to take OC jobs elsewhere, but this marks the first time Payton has actually fired him. Still, there’s no bitterness in Lombardi’s tone - just the matter-of-fact realism that comes with life in the NFL.
“We made it to the AFC Championship,” he said. “I don’t know why there needs to be a scapegoat, so I’m not sure what I’m being scapegoated for.
I thought it was a good season. So, no, I didn’t feel like that in any way.
I just think he just wanted to go in another direction.”
And that’s the reality here. Denver’s offense had its moments this season, and reaching the AFC title game is no small feat. But Payton has always been a coach with a clear vision for how his offense should run, and if he feels a shift is needed - even if it means cutting ties with a longtime lieutenant - he’s going to make that call.
Lombardi called it “part of the business,” and he’s not wrong. The NFL is built on relationships, but it’s driven by results and timing. With Webb’s stock rising and Denver looking to build on its postseason run, this feels like a calculated pivot rather than a reactionary move.
Now the question becomes: Can Davis Webb take the reins and elevate this offense even further? And where does Joe Lombardi land next? He’s got the experience, the pedigree, and now - once again - the freedom to chart a new course.
One chapter closes in Denver, but in this league, the next one is always just a phone call away.