Why Did Denver Broncos Fire 3 Coaches? Sean Payton Explains
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
After the Denver Broncos’ narrow loss in the AFC Championship Game, head coach Sean Payton made a significant coaching staff shakeup, firing three assistant coaches just days later. The decision sparked discussion among fans and analysts about accountability, performance, and the Broncos’ path forward after a highly successful regular season that ended in playoff disappointment.
Broncos’ Coaching Changes After AFC Title Loss
The Broncos capped the 2025 NFL season with a 15-4 record, tying a franchise record for wins and earning home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs. However, Denver’s championship aspirations ended with a 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots in frigid, snowy conditions, a game impacted by a late ankle injury to star quarterback Bo Nix and offensive struggles under backup Jarrett Stidham.
In the aftermath, Payton moved to restructure his coaching staff, announcing the firing of three assistants: offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, wide receivers coach Keary Colbert, and cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch.
Who Were the Fired Coaches?
Joe Lombardi – Offensive Coordinator
Lombardi had been part of Sean Payton’s coaching team since 2023, including their time together with the New Orleans Saints. He oversaw an offense that ranked around 10th in total yards and 14th in scoring during the regular season but sputtered in the AFC title game after offensive leader Bo Nix went down.
Keary Colbert – Wide Receivers Coach
Colbert was responsible for coaching Denver’s wide receiver corps — a group that saw mixed results down the stretch of the season and in key playoff moments. His dismissal is part of a broader offensive overhaul.
Addison Lynch – Cornerbacks Coach
Lynch coached Denver’s cornerbacks, and his firing represents a defensive staff change even though the Broncos’ defense played well overall in 2025. The move suggests Payton wants a fresh direction across multiple areas.
What Payton Said About the Firings
In a statement, Sean Payton expressed appreciation for the contributions of the departing coaches while making clear that the decision was about the team’s future direction. He expressed gratitude for their roles in elevating the Broncos’ program over the past three seasons, but reaffirmed that changes were necessary after falling short of the ultimate goal.
The statement read, “I want to thank these coaches for playing an important role in elevating our program over the last three seasons. I’ve been fortunate to work with Joe Lombardi for 15 years and am particularly grateful for his many contributions to our success as offensive coordinator. We sincerely appreciate Joe, Keary and Addison’s hard work and wish them all the best in the future.”
Why the Staff Overhaul Happened
1. Playoff Outcome and Offensive Struggles
The Broncos’ offense managed only 181 total yards in the AFC Championship Game, scoring just seven points before the loss. With Nix injured and the offense stagnating, particularly late in the game, Payton saw a need for change at the coordinator level.
Even though Lombardi’s unit had a solid regular season overall, the playoff performance highlighted areas needing improvement, especially in adapting to adversity without Nix.
2. Desire for a New Direction
Payton’s decision signals a desire to rethink offensive and positional group strategies heading into the 2026 season.
Conclusion
The Denver Broncos’ decision to fire three assistant coaches, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, wide receivers coach Keary Colbert, and cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch, came in the wake of a disappointing AFC Championship Game loss and signals Sean Payton’s intent to recalibrate his staff for future success.
