Joe Lombardi enters his third season as offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos in 2025. He was hired by the club on Feb. 25, 2023.
In Lombardi's first two seasons with the team, Denver has ranked in the Top-10 in the NFL in interceptions (5th-21), touchdowns (9th-58) and completions of at least 25 yards (T-10th-64). He has also helped in the development of guard Quinn Meinerz, who earned his first career All-Pro nod from the Associated Press after being named to the first team in 2024.
The Broncos' offense found single-season success under Lombardi in 2024, ranking Top-10 in team annals in completion percentage (3rd-66.5), passing touchdowns (5th-30), completions (6th-386) and passer rating (7th-94.1). Among all teams in 2024, Denver ranked fifth in goal to go percentage (85.7%) and fourth down percentage (68.2%) while ranking seventh in red zone percentage (62.5%) and tied for tenth in points scored (25.0).
Lombardi helped rookie quarterback Bo Nix set franchise rookie records in 2024 after completing 376-of-567 passes (66.3%) for 3,775 yards with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while rushing 92 times for 430 yards (4.7 avg.) with four scores. Nix's 29 passing scores were also the second most by a rookie signal caller in league history while his 376 completions ranked third and 3,775 passing yards ranked eighth.
With the assistance of Lombardi, Denver also posted its first winning season in eight years in 2024 as well as its first playoff appearance since the 2015 season.
With 29 years of cumulative coaching experience, Lombardi spent the previous 19 seasons in the NFL with five teams. He most recently coached in Los Angeles, where he served as the Chargers' offensive coordinator from 2021-22.
In 2023, Lombardi helped develop a Broncos' offense that ranked fourth in the NFL in red zone passing touchdowns (22) and sixth in red zone points scored (311) while also tying for the third-most touchdowns scored on their first possession (6). Denver also ranked in the Top-10 in fourth-down conversion percentage (66.0, 3rd), passer rating (96.7, 6th) and rushing plays of 10-or-more yards (54, T-10th). Denver's 65.7 completion percentage, 28 passing scores and 96.7 passer rating were the highest marks by the club in a season since the 2014 season.
Under Lombardi, QB Russell Wilson also saw a resurgence as his 66.4 completion percentage was the third highest of his career while wide receiver Courtland Sutton became the first Bronco since 2014 to record double-digit touchdown receptions in a season with 10 scores through the air.
In two seasons overseeing the Chargers' offense, Lombardi coordinated one of the most explosive groups in the NFL. The unit produced Top-10 rankings in numerous offensive categories, including completions (928—2nd), completion percentage (67.0—5th), net yards per game (374.8—5th), scoring offense (25.4 ppg—7th) and passing touchdowns (64—T-7th).
As offensive coordinator in 2022, Lombardi led a group that ranked third in passing yards per game (269.3) and ninth in total offense (359.3). Quarterback Justin Herbert passed for over 4,500 yards for the second consecutive season and set a career high in completion percentage (68.2).
That season, Lombardi's offense featured six pass catchers who tallied 500 or more receiving yards, including running back Austin Ekeler, who recorded the second-most such yards (722) among NFL rushers. Ekeler also posted a career-high 13 rushing touchdowns, which ranked tied for second in the league.
In his first season with the Chargers in 2021, Lombardi directed an offense that ranked first in the AFC in passing (282.4 ypg) and fourth in the NFL in total offense (390.2 ypg). Wide receiver Keenan Allen, Herbert, center Corey Linsley and tackle Rashawn Slater each earned Pro Bowl nods that season, with the latter three being tabbed as starters in the AFC.
The offense set single-season team records in first downs (401) and touchdowns (38) while producing the second-most fourth quarter points (181) by an NFL team in a single season. Only the 2013 Broncos scored more fourth-quarter points (183) in a single season.
Under Lombardi's guidance in 2021, Herbert set single-season franchise records in passing yards (5,014), passing touchdowns (38), completions (443) and games with 300-plus passing yards (9). He also became the first player in NFL history to throw for 5,000 yards and rush for 300 in the same season.
The Chargers' offense also featured Allen and wide receiver Mike Williams, who each eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards. Allen set a single-season franchise record in receptions (106), while Williams recorded five go-ahead touchdowns in the fourth quarter or overtime, representing the most by any NFL player in a single season.
Linsley and Slater garnered Associated Press second-team All-Pro honors in 2021, while Slater earned recognition from the Pro Football Writers of America as an All-AFC and All-Rookie selection. Additionally, Ekeler recorded a league-leading 20 touchdowns from scrimmage, including eight receiving scores to lead all NFL running backs.
Prior to the Chargers, Lombardi capped off his second stint with New Orleans, serving as quarterbacks coach from 2016-20. In each of those five seasons, the Saints' ranked Top-5 in scoring offense, including Top-3 on three occasions (2016, '18-19).
During the five-year period, Saints quarterbacks combined to rank first in passer rating (106.4) while posting a league-leading 2,027 completions and 71.6 completion percentage.
In between stints with the Saints, Lombardi spent two seasons as Detroit's offensive coordinator from 2014-15. Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson, quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Golden Tate were all named to the Pro Bowl in 2014, with Johnson and Tate becoming the first pair of Lions' pass catchers since 2006 to each record 1,000 receiving yards in the same season.
Spending seven years with New Orleans from 2007-13, Lombardi was an offensive assistant for his first two seasons (2007-08) before being promoted to quarterbacks coach for the final five (2009-13). As quarterbacks coach, the Saints tallied four double-digit win seasons, four playoffs berths and a victory in Super Bowl XLIV against the Colts.
From 2009-13, quarterback Drew Brees led all signal callers in completions (2,147), completion percentage (68.2), passing yards (24,823) and passing touchdowns (195). During that five-year span, Lombardi guided Brees to five Pro Bowl appearances, The Sporting News Player of the Year (2009), Super Bowl XLIV MVP (2009) and Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year (2011).
Lombardi broke into the NFL with Atlanta in 2006, working as a defensive assistant. He primarily worked with the defensive line, who amassed a combined 25.5 sacks that season.
Preceding his time in the NFL, Lombardi coached 11 combined seasons in the XFL and collegiate ranks. He began his coaching career at the University of Dayton (1996-98) before spending time with the Virginia Military Institute (1999), Bucknell University (2000), New York/New Jersey Hitmen (2001) and Mercyhurst College (2002-05).
A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy in 1994, Lombardi was a three-time letter-winning tight end for the Falcons. He also earned a varsity letter in lacrosse.
Lombardi went on to serve a four-year tour of active duty as a United States Air Force officer following graduation. An active contributor to military-supporting initiatives throughout his NFL career, Lombardi was named an NFL Salute to Service Award nominee by the Saints in 2018 and Chargers in 2021.
Joe Lombardi is a native of Seattle, Wash., and is the grandson of Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach and two-time Super Bowl Champion Vince Lombardi. Joe and his wife, Molly, have seven children.
ASSOCIATED PRESS ALL-PRO PLAYERS COACHED (4): QB Drew Brees (2008, '09, '11, '18), C Corey Linsley (2021), G Quinn Meinerz (2024), T Rashawn Slater (2021).
PRO BOWL PLAYERS COACHED (8): WR Keenan Allen (2021), QB Drew Brees (2009-13, '16-19), QB Justin Herbert (2021), WR Calvin Johnson (2014-15), C Corey Linsley (2021), T Rashawn Slater (2021), QB Matthew Stafford (2014), WR Golden Tate (2014).
Offensive Coordinator 2023-25
Offensive Coordinator 2021-22
Quarterbacks 2009-13; '16-20
Offensive Assistant 2007-08
Offensive Coordinator 2014-15
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks 2002-05
Tight Ends/Running Backs 2001
Defensive Line/Strength & Conditioning 2000
Virginia Military Institute
