Joe Lombardi, who helped the Broncos reach the AFC Championship Game this past season, was relieved of his duties in Denver on Tuesday. His firing ranks him among the most accomplished offensive minds on the market, and observers say Philadelphia should be dialing his number immediately.
Lombardi’s NFL résumé centers on a long run with the Saints under Sean Payton, where he coached quarterbacks and played a key role alongside Drew Brees. He later served as an offensive coordinator for the Lions and Chargers before reuniting with Payton in Denver in 2023. Denver’s offense finished 12th in total yards (334.5 per game) and 15th in scoring (23.2 PPG), with an 11th-best third-down conversion rate (41.06%) and 2.6 touchdowns per game. The Broncos also earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC and reached the conference title game, and Lombardi helped develop Bo Nix into a franchise quarterback.
The timing of the move in Denver has drawn scrutiny, as Philadelphia’s OC search has stalled while the team reportedly eyes multiple high-profile targets. Inside The Iggles noted that “someone in Philadelphia needs to pick up the phone” to reach Lombardi, whose postseason experience could bring legitimacy and stability to the Eagles’ offense.
Another option has emerged in Tanner Engstrand, the former Jets offensive coordinator who was fired after one season in New York. While Jets’ offensive output was limited, context matters: Engstrand inherited a challenging situation with a young, regressing quarterback and a fractured organizational structure. Previously, Engstrand spent several seasons in Detroit as the Lions’ passing game coordinator under Ben Johnson, contributing to a unit regarded for scoring and efficiency.
With premium candidates off the board, Philadelphia’s search is taking on urgency. Lombardi offers proven postseason credibility and a track record with high-level quarterbacks, while Engstrand presents a developmental path with strong coaching roots. Either way, the front office faces pressure to finalize a decision as the team contends with a stalled OC process and a restless fanbase.
