Mile High Shakeup: Why the Broncos Fire Joe Lombardi After Playoff Heartbreak

The thin air in Denver just got a lot colder for the coaching staff. Following a gut-wrenching 10–7 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game, the front office has decided it’s time for a change. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Mile High City, the Broncos fire Joe Lombardi, ending his three-year tenure as offensive coordinator. Despite a record-tying 14-win regular season and the emergence of Bo Nix as a franchise cornerstone, the inability to find the end zone when it mattered most proved to be the final straw for Sean Payton.

This dismissal marks a rare moment where Payton has parted ways with a long-time lieutenant. Having worked together for 15 years across both New Orleans and Denver, the decision to let go of a “trusted hand” suggests that the status quo was no longer acceptable. When the Broncos fire Joe Lombardi, they aren’t just moving on from a coach; they are signaling a desperate need to modernize an offense that often looked sluggish and predictable during the 2025 campaign, despite finishing 10th in total yards.

The Snowstorm Stagnation in the AFC Title Game

The breaking point likely occurred during the second-half blizzard in the AFC Championship. While backup Jarrett Stidham was forced into action due to Bo Nix’s season-ending ankle injury, the lack of schematic adjustments was glaring. Because the Broncos fire Joe Lombardi, the organization is clearly holding the coordinator accountable for a unit that mustered only seven points and failed on a critical fourth-and-one play. Sean Payton himself admitted in his post-game presser that the specific play-call “irked” him more than the decision to go for it.

Denver Broncos Offensive Performance (2023–2025)

Staff Exodus: More Than Just the OC

Lombardi isn’t the only one packing his bags this week. In a comprehensive cleaning of the offensive meeting rooms, the Broncos fire Joe Lombardi alongside wide receivers coach Keary Colbert and cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch. Payton was vocal about the high number of dropped passes down the stretch, noting that receivers were failing at the fundamentals. This “scorched earth” approach suggests that the Broncos are looking for a complete cultural reset to ensure Bo Nix has the best possible support system entering his third season.

The departure of Colbert specifically highlights Payton’s frustration with the lack of development at the perimeter. While the Broncos fire Joe Lombardi to fix the “big picture” strategy, the removal of position coaches indicates that the execution of the details was just as much of a problem. With 11 game-winning drives over the last two seasons, Nix has proven he is a “clutch” performer, but the staff move suggests the team wants him to play from ahead rather than constantly needing late-game heroics.

Who is Next? The Davis Webb Factor

With the vacancy now official, all eyes turn to passing game coordinator Davis Webb. Many insiders believe the reason the Broncos fire Joe Lombardi at this specific moment is to block other teams from poaching Webb, who has already interviewed for the Las Vegas Raiders’ head coaching job. Promoting Webb to Offensive Coordinator would be a “new school” move, pairing a young, ascending mind with Payton’s veteran experience. Webb’s work with Bo Nix has been praised league-wide, and he represents the “fresh blood” fans have been clamoring for.

If Webb isn’t the choice, internal candidates like Pete Carmichael or Zach Strief could provide continuity, though they may not satisfy a fanbase hungry for a more explosive vertical attack. Now that the Broncos fire Joe Lombardi, the search for a coordinator who can combine Payton’s power-run mentality with a dynamic passing game is officially on. The goal is simple: ensure that the next time Denver reaches the AFC Championship, the offense is the reason they win, not the reason they go home.