The Denver Broncos wasted no time making their first major offseason decision.
As Yahoo Sports noted, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, Denver has fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.
This is a move that was not widely expected coming out of the Broncos’ AFC Championship run.
Lombardi’s exit signals that significant offensive changes are coming, despite the team’s overall success in 2025.
Denver now enters the offseason with a key vacancy on Sean Payton’s staff.
Rapoport has already pointed to Broncos offensive passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Davis Webb as a potential suitor for the open OC position.
Joe Lombardi Fired Despite Broncos’ AFC Championship Run
The Denver Broncos reached the AFC Championship Game this season, but that postseason run ultimately wasn’t enough to save offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday that Denver fired Lombardi just two days after its loss to the New England Patriots.
The move came as a surprise, especially given head coach Sean Payton’s heavy influence over the offense and the team’s overall progress during the 2025 season.
Despite the deep playoff run, Denver’s offense never cracked the NFL’s top 10 in any major category.
The Broncos finished 15th in points per game (23.2), 12th in yards per game (334.5), and ranked 18th in both points per play (0.362) and yards per play (5.2).
The move signals that the Broncos’ front office isn’t willing to settle for mediocrity.
Davis Webb Emerges as Potential Internal Replacement
Lombardi’s departure immediately opens the door for offensive pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb to be promoted to offensive coordinator.
Webb has already drawn significant interest around the league for head coaching vacancies.
The move could be a last-ditch effort to keep Webb in Denver, with the Broncos fully aware of his value.
Ian Rapoport added important clarity on the situation during today’s Insiders episode.
He explained that Denver’s hands were partially tied procedurally.
“They need to run a process,” Rapoport said, noting the Broncos couldn’t simply promote Davis Webb immediately from within the building.
Instead, Denver can incentivize Webb to stay, allow the process to play out, and ultimately position itself to give him the job.
Webb is currently interviewing for the Las Vegas Raiders head coaching position.
This has increased the urgency behind Denver’s move.
Rapoport also emphasized the trust factor with Sean Payton, noting that Payton is “always looking for people who are really good and who he trusts.”
He said that Webb has clearly become one of those people.
As Rapoport put it, if the Broncos want to keep Webb in Denver, this decision to fire Lombardi may be the only way it can happen.
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