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Less Than 48 Hours After AFC Championship 7-10 Loss to Patriots, Broncos Stun NFL by Firing OC Super Bowl XLIV Joe Lombardi

Less Than 48 Hours After AFC Championship Loss, Broncos Stun NFL by Firing Super Bowl XLIV OC Joe Lombardi

Denver, Colorado – January 2026

Less than 48 hours after a heartbreaking 10–7 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, the Denver Broncos sent shockwaves through the NFL. In a move few saw coming, Denver dismissed offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, signaling an immediate and unforgiving response to falling one step short of the Super Bowl.

The decision was first reported and confirmed by Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The timing alone raised eyebrows across the league, as postseason firings typically follow deeper internal reviews. Instead, Denver acted swiftly, making it clear that even a conference championship appearance would not shield staff from accountability.

Lombardi spent three seasons in Denver under head coach Sean Payton, a long-time collaborator from their years together with the Saints. Lombardi was part of New Orleans’ Super Bowl XLIV championship staff in 2009 and was widely respected for his system knowledge and experience in high-pressure environments. That résumé made the decision even more surprising.

Adding to the shock, Lombardi was credited internally with unlocking the potential of rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Before Nix suffered a broken bone in his ankle, Denver’s offense had shown notable growth and composure. Many around the league believe the Broncos might have won the AFC Championship had Nix been healthy enough to finish the game.

OC Joe Lombardi on the deep passing attack: '[It's] always something that  you're emphasizing'

Complicating the aftermath, a controversial quote attributed to Lombardi circulated online shortly after his dismissal, alleging wrongdoing by New England. “The Patriots cheated and it cost me my job,” the statement read. Neither the Broncos nor the NFL substantiated the claim, and team sources stressed the firing was strictly performance-based, not influenced by outside narratives.

Inside the organization, the move is being framed as a necessary reset. While Payton is known for loyalty to his assistants, the lack of offensive rhythm in the championship game — particularly with the backup quarterback — reportedly accelerated the decision. Denver’s leadership appears unwilling to allow postseason stagnation to linger.

With Bo Nix positioned as the franchise cornerstone, the Broncos will now search for a modern offensive coordinator capable of thriving under playoff pressure. By acting immediately, Denver sent a clear message to the league: close is not close enough. In a Super Bowl-or-bust era, the margin for patience in Denver has officially vanished.

 

Zelensky Accuses Russia of Supplying Suicide Drones to Iran
  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of supplying Iran with Shahed-style suicide drones, which are reportedly being used by Tehran to target U.S. bases and neighboring countries in the Middle East. However, Zelensky has not provided concrete evidence to support these claims. In an interview released by CNN on March 14, Zelensky stated, "I have 100% accurate information that Iran is using this type of UAV to target U.S. bases and neighboring countries in the Middle East." The Shahed drones, originally produced by Russia after receiving a license from Iran, have been implicated in attacks on U.S. and allied military installations in the region. Zelensky further claimed that Russia is also providing intelligence support to Iran's attacks. "Russia's position is that if Washington and Europe are helping Kyiv with intelligence, Moscow can similarly support Tehran," Zelensky added. Despite these bold assertions, the Ukrainian president did not present any direct evidence to substantiate his claims. Neither Russia nor Iran has officially commented on these allegations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed on March 14 that Iran is "militarily cooperating" with both Russia and China, though he did not provide further details. Earlier reports from The Washington Post cited sources indicating that Russia had provided Iran with intelligence on the location of U.S. military assets in the Middle East. This alleged support is believed to have helped Tehran successfully target a range of high-value targets in the region, including radar systems valued between $500 million to over a billion dollars. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff stated on March 10 that Russia has denied sharing intelligence with Iran, affirming that Washington "can trust" Moscow's statements. Shahed drones, developed by Iran, come in various models and have been a key part of Iran's military capabilities. Iran reportedly supplied several Shahed-136 drones to Russia, granting Moscow a license to produce them under the name Geran-2. The Geran-2, which weighs about 200 kg and carries a 50 kg warhead, has a range of 2,500 km and is primarily used by Russian forces in long-range strikes against Ukraine. However, it can also be used for tactical strikes near the frontlines if needed. Images of a Geran-2 UAV in flight over Kyiv in December 2025 have highlighted its growing role in the conflict. In late February 2026, after the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran, Tehran responded by targeting Israel's territory, U.S. bases in the Middle East, and vital energy infrastructure across the Gulf region with both missiles and suicide drones. According to CBS, the early phase of the conflict saw an Iranian drone strike on a U.S. military operations center in Kuwait, resulting in six soldiers' deaths. The specific type of drone used remains unclear. Additionally, a radar system in Qatar, worth approximately $1.1 billion, was damaged in an attack believed to have been carried out by an Iranian suicide drone. The growing use of these drones by Iran, particularly with alleged Russian support, has further escalated tensions in the Middle East, adding to the already volatile situation between the U.S., Iran, and their respective allies.