Broncos fire offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi as Sean Payton launches a full offensive reset
The Broncos have moved on from offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. I am told the decision is part of a wider shake-up on the offensive staff. Sean Payton has issued a statement acknowledging the changes and signaling a new direction on that side of the ball. The message out of Denver is clear. The offense must change, and it must change now. [IMAGE_1]
Why the split happened now
Timing matters in the NFL. This move hits right after championship weekend, when staffs reset and hiring windows open. The Broncos wanted to act fast. They did not want to be late to their own rebuild.
Denver’s offense never found a true identity this season. There were flashes, then stalls. The run game surged at times, then disappeared when needed most. Third down remained a weekly grind. Red zone production lagged behind playoff teams. The protection plan was inconsistent, which hurt rhythm and confidence. Payton demands precision. He did not see enough of it on Sundays.
Lombardi’s résumé is strong, with stops as coordinator of the Chargers and Lions and years with Payton in New Orleans as quarterbacks coach. But this pairing in Denver did not hit the mark. After year one together in orange and blue, the Broncos are choosing a different voice.
This is the first major domino in Denver’s offensive overhaul. More staff adjustments are expected.
What Payton is signaling with this reset
Sean Payton will drive the scheme, and he will set the standards in meetings and on game day. He wants a cleaner operation, faster tempo when the situation calls for it, and a plan that marries the run and play action. Expect more motion, more formational variety, and a sharper screen game to punish pressure.
Just as important, he wants clearer answers for the quarterback. The next coordinator must be a teacher. Install days will matter. Situational football will be drilled, from two minute to low red zone. The Broncos need answers in big moments, not just a call sheet.
- Expect a return to efficient under center looks, paired with quick-game timing.
- Expect a renewed focus on ball security, especially in traffic and late in games.
Payton’s offense has always thrived on detail. The coming weeks will be about details, not slogans.
Who could be next, and what the role looks like
The Broncos job is unique. Payton calls plays, so the coordinator must be a builder and a problem solver. That means game planning, install, third down and red zone design, and deep work with the quarterbacks.
Three realistic lanes are on the table:
- A trusted lieutenants lane. Pete Carmichael Jr. worked for years with Payton in New Orleans and knows the language cold.
- A developer’s lane. Ronald Curry has earned respect as a quarterbacks and passing game coach, with a strong teaching profile.
- An internal voice lane. A current position coach could be elevated to coordinate the week, with Payton owning Sundays.
Denver will also look for a strong run game partner. The Broncos want their ground attack to set the table, not just keep the defense honest. That means a coordinator comfortable binding run and pass, with answers versus loaded boxes and simulated pressure.
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Watch for a hire before the combine. Denver wants its offensive message in place before free agency and draft meetings heat up.
What this means for the roster and the AFC West fight
This move is not just about play sheets. It is about urgency in a division that never slows down. The Chiefs are the standard with creativity and situational excellence. The Chargers, now stabilized under a new regime, will lean on a physical identity. The Raiders will be nasty on defense and ball control on offense. Denver needs an edge.
For the Broncos, that edge starts with protecting their quarterback and unlocking chunk plays without risking turnovers. It also means a stronger red zone presence. You win in the AFC West by finishing drives, not by settling for three and hoping your defense holds. The Broncos defense fought to keep games close this year. The offense has to pay that off.
Inside the locker room, this is a loud message. Veterans will hear it. Younger players will feel the challenge. Every meeting rep, every install, every walkthrough snap must accelerate the learning curve. Denver plans to be precise and aggressive, not reckless. Fans at Mile High demand that standard. The culture in this building is aligning to meet it.
Bottom line
Joe Lombardi is out. Sean Payton has his hands on the wheel, and the offense is getting rebuilt in real time. The next coordinator must be a communicator, a teacher, and a partner who can sharpen the plan from Monday through Saturday. The search is underway. Denver knows what it wants to be, and the Broncos are moving with speed to become it.
