In a move that has sent shockwaves through the NFL coaching ranks, the Denver Broncos have officially fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.
The decision, confirmed Tuesday, January 27, 2026, comes as a stunning post-script to a season that saw Denver reach its first AFC Championship Game in a decade. The dismissal is particularly jarring given that it occurred less than two days after the Broncos’ season ended in a narrow, snowy 10-7 defeat to the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High.
The firing marks the end of a long-standing professional partnership between Lombardi and head coach Sean Payton. Lombardi had served as Denver’s offensive coordinator for the past three seasons, but his history with Payton spans back nearly two decades. He was a key member of Payton’s staff in New Orleans from 2007 to 2013 and again from 2016 to 2020, even earning a Super Bowl XLIV ring during the 2009 season.
For Payton, a coach traditionally known for his fierce loyalty to his inner circle, the decision to move on from Lombardi is being viewed by league insiders as a fundamental shift in his organizational approach.
The timing of the move is equally surprising given the context of the Broncos’ playoff exit. Denver entered the AFC Championship Game as favorites but was forced to play without rookie sensation Bo Nix, who had been sidelined with a broken bone in his ankle suffered during the previous week’s victory. With Nix unavailable, the Broncos turned to backup Jarrett Stidham.
Under Lombardi’s direction, the offense struggled to find its rhythm in the frigid conditions, managing only seven points in the loss. Critics pointed to a conservative and “dull” game plan as a primary reason for the defeat, though many analysts argued that Payton himself should share the burden for the play-calling limitations.
Despite the bitter ending, Lombardi’s tenure in Denver was largely considered a success prior to Tuesday’s news. He was credited with the rapid development of Bo Nix, who emerged as a legitimate franchise quarterback during the 2025 campaign. Lombardi’s ability to modernize the Broncos’ offensive attack and integrate Nix’s dual-threat capabilities had made Denver one of the most efficient scoring teams in the AFC.
The sudden firing raises questions about whether internal disagreements regarding the game plan for the Patriots matchup led to an irreconcilable rift between Payton and his top assistant.
The Broncos now face the prospect of a significant brain drain on their coaching staff. Beyond Lombardi’s departure, passing game coordinator Jim Leonhard has emerged as a front-runner for the defensive coordinator vacancy with the Buffalo Bills.
Additionally, quarterbacks coach Davis Webb—who is highly regarded for his work with Nix—has recently interviewed for positions with both the Bills and the Las Vegas Raiders. Speculation is mounting that Payton may have fired Lombardi with the specific intention of promoting Webb to the coordinator role to prevent him from leaving for a rival franchise.
As the Broncos begin their search for a new offensive lead, the pressure on Sean Payton has reached a fever pitch. By dismissing a loyal veteran like Lombardi after a 13-win season and a deep playoff run, Payton has signaled that “The Standard” in Denver is now nothing short of a Super Bowl championship. For a fanbase that had grown accustomed to post-season absences, the AFC Championship loss was a step forward, but the subsequent coaching purge proves that the front office is no longer satisfied with moral victories.
