The Denver Broncos, two days after losing to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, have fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. The move comes after the team posted a 14-3 season and nearly went to the Super Bowl.
But if you read between the lines, it seems that the Broncos might have a specific reason for making this decision and that involves another coach on their staff.
Quarterbacks coach Davis Webb is suddenly a hot commodity around the league and is being considered for a head coaching job, despite being just 30 years old and never even being in a coordinator role. He interviewed with the Buffalo Bills, who hired Joe Brady as their new head coach on Tuesday.
However, Webb is being connected to the vacancy with the Las Vegas Raiders, something Sean Payton took a shot at on Tuesday.
However, it seems that the Broncos are recognizing the interest in Webb, a former NFL player who is regarded by many in the league as a guaranteed future head coach, and could be making sure he doesn’t go anywhere.
Did the Broncos fire Joe Lombardi to make sure they keep Davis Webb?
If Webb is a strong candidate for the Raiders job, it seems that the Broncos may have given him a choice between being a coordinator for a team that was one step away from the Super Bowl or taking over a team that hasn’t won a playoff game in 23 years.
Make no mistake, with Lombardi out, Webb is the clear frontrunner to become the new offensive coordinator for the Broncos. Should that happen, it brings another interesting question with it?
Would Payton give up his play-calling duties?
That is something many Broncos fans have clamored for since Payton became the head coach, even with the team’s success. Perhaps that would be one of Webb’s bargaining chips. He could say that he’ll turn down the Raiders job, if it’s offered, if he is going to be allowed to be the Broncos’ new play-caller in 2026.
READ: Broncos must do everything in their power to sign 27-TD free-agent running back
The firing of Lombardi, who has spent a total of 15 seasons working for Payton between the Broncos and New Orleans Saints, sets up some intriguing possibilities.
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