Nathaniel Hackett Aug 10, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett answers questions after training camp at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Nathaniel Hackett has changed his mind.

The Denver Broncos head coach, who has been harshly criticized for sending out kicker Brandon McManus for a 64-yard field goal attempt in the closing seconds of Monday night’s 17-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, admitted Tuesday he made a mistake. In case you missed the bizarre play, the Broncos faced fourth-and-5 at the Seahawks’ 46-yard line with 20 seconds left, plenty of time to run another play. Yet Hackett sent out McManus for the low-percentage kick, which sailed left.

After the heartbreaking loss, Hackett originally stood by his decision to kick the field goal. Tuesday at his media session, however, he had a change of heart.

“You know, looking back at it, we definitely should have gone for it,” Hackett said. “It’s just one of those things, you look back at it and say, ‘Of course, we should have gone for it — we missed the field goal.'”

It’s nice Hackett could own up to his mistake the day after, but the rookie head coach took a figurative beating on social media and talk radio after the game. Some pundits even suggested he’d mixed up his field position and thought the field goal attempt was in the 55-yard range. It didn’t help matters that the Broncos showed poor clock management on their final drive.

NFL Twitter was no less harsh to Hackett after his admission Tuesday.

To be fair, some pundits gave Hackett credit for owning up to his mistake.

[Troy Renck Denver7]

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.