Joe Lombardi enters his first season as offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos in 2023. He was hired by the club on Feb. 25.
With 27 years of cumulative coaching experience, Lombardi has spent the previous 17 seasons in the NFL with four teams. He most recently coached in Los Angeles, where he served as the Chargers' offensive coordinator from 2021-22.
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 (3): QB Drew Brees (2008, '09, '11, '18), C Corey Linsley (2021), 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
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
