Nathaniel Hackett is getting some help.
Mike Klis of 9 News reported Saturday that the Denver Broncos have hired an assistant coach to sit in the booth during games and “advise Hackett on his decision making.”
Jerry Rosburg joined the staff this week and will coach his first game Sunday night when the San Francisco 49ers visit the Broncos. The 66-year-old Rosburg, who will carry the title of senior assistant, held a similar role with the Baltimore Ravens and coach John Harbaugh from 2008 through 2018, serving there as special teams coordinator, associate head coach and game-day adviser.
Hackett (seen above during training camp in August) came under heavy fire for questionable clock management late in Denver’s season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Fans were still so frustrated with that incident that during Week 2’s win against the Houston Texans, when the team appeared headed for a delay of game penalty, some in the crowd began counting down the play clock to help out.
The obvious question here: Did Hackett ask for this help? Or did the Broncos front office suggest he add an assistant? Klis reported that Hackett took an active role in bringing Rosburg aboard earlier this week. The report suggested this was Hackett’s call.
“In a profession where most NFL coaches become defensive to criticism and would rather have a tooth pulled than admit a mistake, Hackett’s willingness to not only publicly demonstrate accountability but make a significant in-season adjustment is commendable,” Klis noted.
[9news.com; photo from Isaiah J. Downing/USA Today Sports]
