Panthers Head Coach Dave Canales Calls Saints Game a “Championship Opportunity” as NFC South Race Hits Its Climax

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. The #Broncos fired OC Joe Lombardi, per me and @TomPelissero. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 27, 2026 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. 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.