Former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi has publicly addressed his abrupt dismissal from the franchise earlier this week, breaking his silence on the decision that followed the team's crushing AFC Championship defeat.
Lombardi's Reaction to Sudden Broncos Exit
Lombardi, who had served as Denver's offensive coordinator for the past three seasons, was fired on Tuesday, just two days after the Broncos' Super Bowl aspirations were dashed by a narrow 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game. The 54-year-old coach, who had worked under head coach Sean Payton for an impressive 15 years across stints with the New Orleans Saints and the Broncos, expressed no bitterness toward the organisation or Payton.
'Sean decided to move on, and I guess that's all there is to say,' Lombardi told Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette, marking his first comments since the firing. '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. So I've been around him long enough to kind of read the tea leaves, I guess.'
A Season of Highs and Lows for Denver's Offense
The Broncos' offensive struggles were particularly evident in the AFC Championship, where they were without starting quarterback Bo Nix, a factor that significantly hampered their ability to penetrate the Patriots' resilient defence. Lombardi, who has also held positions with the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Chargers during his career, acknowledged the challenges but defended the overall season's performance.
'Well, we made it to the AFC Championship,' Lombardi stated. '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.'
Long-Staff Relationship with Payton Ends Abruptly
This dismissal marks the first time Payton has fired Lombardi, despite their lengthy professional history. Lombardi had previously left Payton's staff voluntarily to pursue offensive coordinator roles elsewhere, but this exit was initiated by the head coach. Reflecting on their time together, Lombardi said, 'I mean, he employed me for a long time. I'm appreciative of that.'
The timing of the firing added to the shock, as Payton had conducted a standard end-of-season press conference earlier on Tuesday without hinting at any imminent coaching changes. However, by Tuesday evening, reports from NFL Network confirmed Lombardi's departure, signalling a swift shift in the Broncos' plans.
Speculation Surrounding Coaching Shake-Up
Amid the fallout, speculation has emerged that the Broncos may have parted ways with Lombardi to pave the way for Davis Webb, potentially promoting him to the offensive coordinator role. This move could be strategic, aimed at retaining Webb, who is currently viewed as a leading candidate for the Las Vegas Raiders' head coaching vacancy. By offering Webb a promotion, Denver might hope to dissuade him from leaving for other opportunities, ensuring continuity and stability within their coaching ranks.
Lombardi's departure underscores the volatile nature of NFL coaching careers, where even long-tenured staff can face sudden changes based on postseason outcomes. As the Broncos look ahead, this decision highlights the ongoing adjustments teams make in pursuit of championship success, with Lombardi's exit serving as a poignant reminder of the business side of professional football.
