The Denver Broncos created an unexpected opening this hiring cycle on Tuesday when the organization fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.
The 20-year NFL coaching veteran has spent 15 seasons on head coach Sean Payton’s staff in Denver and with the New Orleans Saints, but NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport revealed his time with the Broncos is over.
Denver playing deep into the postseason won’t do it any help in the search for Lombardi’s replacement, but the organization shouldn’t need a wide search. The next offensive coordinator might already be in the Broncos’ backyard.
Quarterbacks coach Davis Webb a logical successor to Joe Lombardi’s offensive coordinator role
The Broncos have one of the league’s more in-demand position coaches in quarterbacks coach Davis Webb.
He interviewed for the Buffalo Bills’ head-coaching job and remains in the running for the head role with the Las Vegas Raiders.
On Tuesday, Payton discussed the possibility of losing Webb to a division rival, and he dryly responded, “It’d be a pain the a– for him,” via Pro Football Talk.
Even with the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, the Raiders aren’t as attractive an opening as Broncos offensive coordinator. For most of the 21st century, the Silver and Black has been a toxic job, with the organization rotating through an NFL-high 13 non-interim head coaches since 2000. Of the Raiders’ last 10 hires, six have had their contracts terminated before the end of their second season.
Better jobs will likely reveal themselves in the coming years — as soon as 2027, perhaps — if Webb spends time as an offensive coordinator before jumping into a head coaching gig. During Tuesday’s news conference, general manager George Paton told reporters that quarterback Bo Nix (fractured ankle) is expected to be available for the start of organized team activities (OTAs) in May, alleviating concern for the Broncos entering the offseason.
The team is also in a much better financial position with former quarterback Russell Wilson’s onerous dead-cap charge finally off the books, allowing it to infuse the offense with talent after the unit struggled with consistency in 2025.
While Webb wouldn’t have an opportunity to call plays in Denver, he’d still gain valuable experience in the promoted role, and any increase in production would reflect well on him.
Webb has become a name to watch in the coaching ranks, and that won’t change any time soon. While the allure of a head-coaching job is hard to pass up, with Lombardi gone, the grass is green enough in Denver. All the Broncos need to do is make Webb an offer.