Broncos gamble shifts AFC Championship
USAT’s Jarrett Bell reports from Empower Field as the Patriots push past the Broncos to reach Super Bowl 60.
Sports Pulse
Not even an appearance in a conference championship game will prevent an NFL team from shaking up its coaching staff this offseason.
The Denver Broncos on Jan. 27 fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, according to multiple reports.
The move comes just two days after the Broncos fell to the New England Patriots in a 10-7 loss in the AFC championship game. With backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham filling in for injured starter Bo Nix, Denver notched just 181 total yards and 11 first downs as heavy snow and winds stymied both teams in the second half.
The Broncos again hovered around the middle of the pack in several offensive categories in head coach Sean Payton’s third year at the helm, finishing 10th in total yards and 14th in scoring.
Lombardi, 54, had long been one of Payton’s trusted assistants. He was the New Orleans Saints’ quarterbacks coach from 2016-20 under Payton before rejoining him in Denver.
The move comes as Broncos passing game coordinator Davis Webb remains a leading candidate for the Las Vegas Raiders’ coaching job.
