Why former Broncos OC Joe Lombardi isn't surprised he lost his job

Members of the NFL community were surprised to learn that Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton parted ways with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi coming off the club's 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. 

While speaking with Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette, Lombardi revealed that he's not shocked Payton made such a change. 

Joe Lombardi could "read the tea leaves" before being shown the door

"Sean decided to move on, and I guess that’s all there is to say," Lombardi explained. "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 helped the 2025 Broncos win 14 regular-season games and earn the top seed in the AFC. Denver then tallied a thrilling 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. 

However, starting quarterback Bo Nix suffered a broken bone in his right ankle late in the Buffalo game. Against the Patriots, backup Jarrett Stidham completed 17-of-31 passes for 133 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a second-quarter fumble that gifted the visitors with their only touchdown of the contest. 

Joe Lombardi felt Broncos didn't need a scapegoat

Recent reports have suggested that Payton could promote passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb to the role of OC to keep Webb from receiving a play-calling gig with a different club. The New York Giants are looking for an offensive coordinator after the Cleveland Browns hired former Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken as their next head coach. 

"Well, we made it to the AFC Championship," Lombardi added. "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."