By Jordan Long
The Denver Broncos’ first preseason game is next Friday when they travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals. This will give players on the roster bubble a chance to show the coaching staff what they can do in live action. Head Coach of the Denver Broncos Sean Payton had some strong words for Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. According to USAToday.com, Payton said of Hackett’s time as the Broncos’ Head Coach, “It might have been one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL. That’s how bad it was.”
Hackett served as the Broncos’ Head Coach last year. He didn’t even last a full season. The Broncos let him go following a 4-11 start. The Broncos had so many problems with Hackett. In week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, the Broncos had the ball at the Seattle 46-yard line. Instead of trying to gain more yards to make a game winning field goal easier, Hackett decided to kick a 64-yard field go which was wide left. Hackett had problems communicating the play calls to quarterback Russell Wilson. The play clock would be running out by the time the Broncos broke the huddle. Broncos’ fans resorted to counting down the play clock. Hackett even hired Jerry Rosburg to help with game management.
Hackett was supposed to be this offensive guru who was going to improve the Broncos’ offense. Last season, the Broncos’ offense struggled, ranking 21st in the NFL in total offense, gaining 325.1 yards per game. Through the air, the Broncos passed for 211.3 yards per game, 19th in the NFL. The Broncos had trouble scoring putting up 16.9 points per game, dead last in the NFL. This showed how bad Hackett was.
Most coaches, even if the team struggles, stay for a full year. Hackett didn’t. It showed how incompetent he was as a Head Coach. It was the worst coaching job in the history of the Denver Broncos but difficult to say it was the worst coaching job in the history of the NFL. In recent memory, the 2017 Cleveland Browns and the 2008 Detroit Lions went 0-16. At least Hackett won 4 games.
Hackett is now with the Jets as the offensive coordinator. New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers fired back. According to USAtoday.com, Rodgers said, “I thought it was way out of line, inappropriate, and I think he needs to keep my coach’s name out of his mouth.”
The truth is, the comments by both Rodgers and Payton are surprising since they came so early because it is only training camp. Both are right to say how they feel, but it is unusual to do so publicly. These remarks may be used as bulletin board material for their matchup in week 5.
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