As it turns out, Nathaniel couldn't hack it.The Broncos fired rookie coach Nathaniel Hackett before the end of his first season at the helm, after Hackett helped guide the Broncos to a 4-11 record this year.The firing comes in the wake of the Broncos' blowout lo s to the Rams, a 51-14 humiliation on Christmas, sealing Hackett's fate. He's one of just four first-year head coaches to
R.J. Hampton Jersey be fired before the end of his first season, joining Urban Meyer (Jacksonville, 2021), Pete McCulley (San Francisco, 1978) and John Whelchel (Washington, 1947).MORE: The Broncos released a statement on Monday, confirming the firing of Hackett but reaffirming the
Keita Bates-Diop Jersey job security of GM George Paton:We have parted ways with Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett.A statement from Broncos Owner & CEO Greg Penner: Denver Broncos (@Broncos) Hackett was the gift that kept on giving to everyone who a fan of the Broncos. Here's why the team ultimately decided to move on from him.MORE: Even with a top defense, the Broncos were 4-11 and, ultimately, a putrid team. Hackett showcased several deficiencies as a bench bo s throughout the year.Clock and game managementThe first major red flag of Hackett's head coaching career came in the first game of his head coaching career.Hackett, famously
Nikola Jokic Jersey , settled for a 64-yard field goal with time expiring rather than go for it with Wilson at the helm. Seattle would take home the win in the effort, and Hackett would second-gue s himself in the days that followed.Throughout the season, Hackett's clock management didn't get much better, nor did his situational football. Constant goal-line shotgun formations, penalties and questionable playcalls all doomed Hackett.Hackett ultimately hired a game-management coach, which seems, well, like a job the head coach should be doing.Ru sell WilsonNeedle s to
Gary Harris Jersey say, Ru sell Wilson's disastrous season goes hand-in-hand with the firing of Hackett. Ultimately, it's much easier to fire the coach than the quarterback.While the Broncos were supposedly eyeing Aaron Rodgers prior to the start of the season, the trade for Wilson seemed like a round-peg-square-hole fit with the new head coach. Hackett, who deployed a scheme with West Coast offense principles, was not built for the strengths of Wilson, and it showed throughout the year. Wilson is going to finish with a career low in touchdowns, with just 12 TD pa ses through 16 weeks, and generally looks like a poor investment. A lot of that can be contributed to Hackett.MORE: InfightingThe lasting image of Hackett's coaching career may have nothing to do with him, but rather his players.On Christmas day, a group of Broncos players including offensive lineman Dalton Risner and backup quarterback Brett Rypien were seen arguing . While arguments happen among NFL players, arguments on 4-11 football teams are typically a
Michael Porter Jr. Jersey little emblematic of deep-seated i sues. the sideline fight may have been a sign that Hackett "really lost his team."Well, now the team has officially lost him.