The Denver Broncos have wasted no time bringing a Lombardi to the Mile High City in 2023. Joe Lombardi, that is. The grandson of the legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi has been by Sean Payton's side for a good chunk of his coaching career, and that will continue in Denver in 2023, according to Mike Klis. Not long after certain media members really complained heavily that Sean Payton's staff was not coming together fast enough for their liking, the Broncos then began leaking reports of those who had joined the staff for 2023.
And that includes Coach Lombardi.
Lombardi was on the New Orleans Saints' staff from 2007-2013 and then again from 2016-2020 with Sean Payton before joining the Los Angeles Chargers' staff in 2021. With the Saints, Lombardi was mostly a quarterbacks coach but he took opportunities with both the Detroit Lions (2014-15) and Chargers (2021-22) as their offensive coordinator and it obviously didn't work out overly well at either stop in terms of longevity, but Lombardi's units had plenty of success in certain areas.
Look at the Chargers most recently and the way Lombardi deployed Austin Ekeler as a weapon out of the backfield. I think Ekeler just scored another touchdown, actually. Ekeler had 25 touchdowns in his first four NFL seasons combined, and 38 in the past two seasons with the Chargers. The Chargers went from being 5th in scoring in 2021 under Lombardi to 13th in scoring in 2022, and Lombardi ended up being the scapegoat for Brandon Staley's foolishness late in the season.
Lombardi's presence on the staff will be important as the team grooms new quarterbacks coach Davis Webb, who is leaving the New York Giants' roster as a player to jump into the coaching realm. The Denver Broncos' brain trust at the quarterback position is starting to become extensive, but undoubtedly you hope cohesive as well.
Payton and Lombardi have a long history of working together. Lombardi has spent the last couple of seasons game-planning against the AFC West so he'll be able to help tremendously in that regard, while also understanding how Payton ticks.
This reunion has made sense since the moment Sean Payton was hired. The only thing we do not know as of right now? In what capacity will Joe Lombardi serve on Sean Payton's staff? Even if he's offensive coordinator in title, he's not going to be calling plays. That will be Payton himself. But initial reports don't seem to indicate specifically that Lombardi will be the offensive coordinator.
Perhaps he will be. Perhaps he will be the passing game coordinator. Whatever the case, Lombardi is coming to Denver. Hopefully not for the last time this coming season, either.