The Baltimore Ravens are adding veteran coach Joe Lombardi as a senior offensive assistant, according to The Athletic reporter Jeff Zrebiec.
Lombardi, 54, brings years of offensive coordinator and play-calling experience to Baltimore’s staff and will work alongside 29-year-old offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. The move reunites Lombardi and Doyle, who previously coached together with the Denver Broncos from 2023 to 2024 and with the New Orleans Saints from 2019 to 2020.
Joe Lombardi Brings Extensive NFL Experience to Baltimore
Before Denver, Lombardi served as offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers from 2021 to 2022, working closely with quarterback Justin Herbert. He also held the same role with the Detroit Lions from 2014 to 2015.
Between coordinator jobs, Lombardi spent five seasons as the Saints’ quarterbacks coach under Payton, further developing his offensive background. Both Lombardi and Doyle have credited their time with Payton as instrumental in shaping their coaching approach.
Lombardi is also the grandson of Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, whose name is synonymous with NFL championships. Now in Baltimore, Lombardi will help guide an offense aiming to return to the Super Bowl and compete for the franchise’s third Lombardi Trophy.
Lombardi acknowledged that coaching changes are part of the profession, noting this was not his first dismissal. He was let go from Detroit after 23 games and later parted ways with the Chargers after two seasons.
Addressing speculation that he served as a scapegoat in Denver, Lombardi pushed back.
“Well, 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 (Payton) just wanted to go in another direction.”
Lombardi Spoke Out After Broncos Exit
Joe Lombardi is headed to Baltimore. The veteran NFL offensive coordinator is joining Jesse Minter’s Ravens staff as a senior offensive assistant.
#RavensFlock
Lombardi most recently served as Denver’s offensive coordinator, though head coach Sean Payton handled play-calling duties. Payton dismissed Lombardi following Denver’s AFC Championship loss, which featured backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham.
Speaking to The Denver Gazette reporter Chris Tomasson, Lombardi said he was not surprised by the decision.
“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 (Payton) 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.”
Lombardi joined Denver when Payton arrived in 2023, marking another chapter in their long professional relationship. Lombardi has spent 12 seasons under Payton across multiple stints, including five years as the Saints’ quarterbacks coach.
Despite the dismissal, Lombardi said there is no bad blood.
“I think it’s part of the business,” he said. “I mean, he employed me for a long time. I’m appreciative of that.”
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