Saints’ Joe Lombardi to become Bolts’ new offensive coordinator

Brandon Staley’s coaching staff is finally starting to take shape as the second of his three coordinators has reportedly been filled. According to a number of NFL insiders, New Orleans Saints quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi “is tracking” to become the new offensive coordinator for the Chargers under new head coach Brandon Staley.

Lombardi has essentially been with the Saints since the 2007 season outside of a two-year stint as the Lions offensive coordinator for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. He was promoted to the team’s quarterbacks coach in 2009 and held that position until 2013. He re-upped that position when he returned to New Orleans in 2016.

In terms of the expected connection between Staley and Lombardi, the two both spent time at Dayton University with the former playing quarterback in the early 2000’s and the latter coaching the defensive line from 1996 to 1998. They also both spent time at Mercyhurst College together during the 2005 season when Lombardi was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and Staley was a transfer QB.

Lombardi has had the opportunity to work with Drew Brees for the majority of the future HoF quarterback’s career in New Orleans, on top of notable backup passers in Teddy Bridgewater and Jameis Winston. His time and experience underneath Sean Payton shouldn’t be understated, either. Payton is one of the more progressive and creative coaches in the NFL and that type of personality rubbing off on Lombardi would be a refreshing change of pace for this franchise.