Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi reunited with head coach Sean Payton in Denver, hoping to get quarterback Russell Wilson, the team’s $245 million investment, back on track after a dreadful 2022 season.
Although there’s still a ways to go, Lombardi was pleased with Wilson’s development during the team’s offseason program.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but we’re really happy with where he’s at,” Lombardi said.
While working with Wilson, Lombardi, who worked under Payton in New Orleans as an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach, noticed there was some muscle memory to overcome.
“(Wilson is) used to doing things a certain way, and we’re presenting a new way of doing things,” said Lombardi, who spent the last two seasons as the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive coordinator. “It’s a new year, new coaching staff and a new scheme. We have a lot of time to figure out the best plan for all these players.”
Last season, Wilson posted career lows in touchdown passes (16), completion percentage (60.5%) and quarterback rating (36.7).
Lombardi thought the team’s injuries throughout the campaign played a part in the quarterback’s struggles. Center Lloyd Cushenberry III (groin) missed eight games, while left tackle Garett Bolles suffered a season-ending right leg injury in October. Right guard Quinn Meinerz missed four games due to a hamstring injury.
Tight end Greg Dulcich missed the first five games with a hamstring injury while running back Javonte Williams and wide receiver Tim Patrick suffered torn ACLs. Wide receiver K.J. Hamler also spent time on the injured reserve.
Wilson, who missed two games, even dealt with a right shoulder and hamstring injury. In December, he suffered a concussion in Denver’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
“As you look at what happened last year, a lot of it was injuries,” Lombardi said. “It’s about staying healthy.”
Lombardi’s track record with quarterbacks might provide optimism that Wilson can turn things around. Former Saints star Drew Brees threw for more than 5,000 yards four times when Lombardi was in New Orleans. In 2021, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert totaled 5,014 passing yards.
Lombardi is hoping to have similar success with Wilson.
“He’s really fun to work with,” Lombardi said. “I think the answer for him is what the answer is for everyone: Work hard every day, get your fundamentals down, and understand what you’re trying to accomplish. So far, it’s been good.”
Wilson returning to form will be essential for Denver’s offense to bounce back after finishing last in the league in points per game (16.9).
“That’s a challenge,” Lombardi said. “No matter where you’re playing, you have to score enough points to win. It’s never easy. The Chiefs … you don’t expect them to have any step back. They are a team that has been doing really well for years and scoring a lot of points. The last couple years, we had some shootouts with them, and it’s never over. We’ll have to be on top of our game.”
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