Joe

Lombardi

It’s no surprise that the former Sean Payton disciple wound up in Denver. Lombardi has been a Payton quarterbacks coach for 10 seasons between his stints as offensive coordinator in Detroit and Los Angeles. The idea of hiring the guy who made Justin Herbert check down as part of the plan to fix Russell Wilson initially hits the comedic scale, but Payton would likely be the main playcaller regardless and Lombardi could have more success in a less-demanding role.

The team also fired pass game coordinator Shane Day. The Chargers were left with little choice but to blow up their offensive scheme after Lombardi refused to budge from a passing scheme that turned the cannon-armed Justin Herbert into modern day Alex Smith. Though the Chargers were top-ten in both passing yards per game and points per game, Lombardi’s check-down passing scheme squelched Herbert’s potential and made LA one of the more predictable passing offenses in the NFL. Herbert threw downfield (20 or more yards) on a meager 9.7 percent of his attempts in 2022, the 29th highest rate in the league. Since the start of the 2021 season, Herbert ranks 31st in air yards per attempt. The Chargers’ next OC is going to have to get more out of Herbert’s arm strength if Brandon Staley’s team is going to take the next step. Meanwhile, Vince Lombardi’s grandkid won’t have a problem landing another job in the NFL.

The Texans confirmed the interview took place on Saturday. The news will be overshadowed by Houston’s left-field talks with Hines Ward. At least in our database, this is 50-year-old Lombardi’s first head-coaching interview. Lombardi had a disastrous stint as Lions offensive coordinator in 2014-15 before being rehabilitated by Sean Payton in New Orleans. He drew decidedly mixed reviews for his 2021 work with Justin Herbert and company. He would not be an inspiring hire for a team that did not need to fire David Culley.

Lombardi has been with the Saints the past five seasons and, prior to then, coached Matthew Stafford to his lone Pro Bowl appearance with Detroit. He’ll instead attempt to coax a successful relationship with franchise cornerstone Justin Herbert, replacing former OC Shane Steichen (who has since joined the Eagles in a similar role). Lombardi, 49 and the grandson of Vince Lombardi, has historically worked under Sean Payton and Jim Caldwell since 2007.

The Lions’ offensive coordinator from 2015-2016, Lombardi has been the Saints’ quarterbacks coach the last two seasons. He was on the Mercyhurst College staff when Chargers coach Brandon Staley played quarterback in 2005. Lombardi helped develop Taysom Hill, Jameis Winston, and Teddy Bridgewater behind Drew Brees with the Saints. He would be a pass-first hire to replace Brian Schottenheimer in Seattle.

New head coach Jim Caldwell is an offensive mind, but will take more of an overseer’s approach. Formerly the Saints’ quarterbacks coach, Lombardi learned under Sean Payton and will keep Detroit’s pass-first mentality intact, which is good news for Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson. “The playbook that we’re starting from is the Saints’ playbook,” confirmed Lombardi. We wouldn’t be surprised to see more of a true timeshare in the backfield, with Joique Bell handling increased carries and Reggie Bush filling a Sprolesian role.

Lombardi is the grandson of Vince Lombardi. He’s been with the Saints since 2007, spending the past five seasons as QBs coach working with Drew Brees. Prior to that, Lombardi worked as an offensive assistant for the Falcons for one season and coordinated the offense at Mercyhurst College for four years. He played tight end at Air Force. Lombardi interviewed for the Jets OC opening last winter. He’ll be another quality mind for Matthew Stafford to work with.

He’ll be replaced by “Jim Bob Cooter,” although head coach Jim Caldwell is expected to now call plays. The Lions also relieved OL coaches Jeremiah Washburn and Terry Heffernan of their duties. Lombardi arrived in Detroit with promise as a Sean Payton disciple in 2014, but Detroit’s 2015 offense has been an abject disaster, ranking 29th in the NFL in points per game ahead of only Tennessee, St. Louis, and San Francisco. The Lions have been especially abysmal in pass protection, and their run blocking has been atrocious. Matthew Stafford absorbed seven sacks in Sunday’s Week 7 loss to the Vikings.

Lombardi will reunite with Sean Payton after failing as an offensive coordinator. The Lions offense improved significantly after firing him, but it’s a solid position-coach hire. Lombardi’s return doesn’t have much of an impact for Drew Brees.