Broncos head coach Sean Payton issued a statement thanking the three coaches for their role in the program, noting his long professional relationship with Lombardi. “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,” Payton said.
Colbert served as Denver’s wide receivers coach for three seasons, joining Payton’s staff ahead of the 2023 season. Lynch had been a defensive quality control coach for the Broncos in 2023 and 2024 before being promoted to cornerbacks coach in 2025.
The personnel moves come in the wake of Payton’s outspoken critique of the team’s passing game, including the receivers’ struggles to get open and a high number of drops late in the season. Payton emphasized that technique matters, citing that catches should be made with the thumbs together.
Denver entered the AFC Playoffs as the top seed but were upset at home by the Patriots, highlighting on-field issues that the team hopes to address through this staff overhaul.
The firings mark a notable shift for a Broncos program retooling its coaching staff ahead of the next season as it seeks to address offensive and defensive coaching gaps identified in the wake of the playoff exit.
