The head coaching position for the Denver Broncos has been a revolving door as of late, with four head coaching hires dating back to 2016.
After much speculation, the team’s newest head coach is now known. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported this morning that the Denver Broncos have hired Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their new head coach.
The #Broncos are finalizing a deal with #Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett to make him their new head coach, per sources.
Contract talks heated up Wednesday night. The #Jaguars planned to interview Hackett again today. Instead, Denver lands its top choice.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 27, 2022
He will be replacing former coach Vic Fangio, who was fired earlier this month after a disappointing 7-10 record this season.
Here are some reactions around the NFL world on the latest hiring by the Denver Broncos.
Cue the white smoke!#BroncosCountry , how ya feeling about Nathaniel Hackett?
I think he’s the energy boost (and offensive mind) the team needs to kick start a new chapter. Hackett was my choice from the jump – love his passion and energy. Excited to see the changes he brings. https://t.co/bYHCTd2684
— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) January 27, 2022
👏👏 the guys in Denver will love him! https://t.co/gbY6AKoFZS
— Lane Taylor (@lanetaylor65) January 27, 2022
As I reported earlier this week, priority No. 1 for the #Broncos was Nathaniel Hackett. Denver wants to win with an innovative offense and believes Hackett is the guy to do it. Great hire IMO. https://t.co/zUqv3nax9g
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 27, 2022
This hiring will further add to the speculation of Green Bay Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers coming to Denver, something that has been talked about extensively in the past few weeks.
Good morning, #Packers fans. Wonder what happens next … https://t.co/9ZEZlXJf8Z
— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) January 27, 2022
Let the increased Aaron Rodgers to the Denver Broncos trade speculation begin. https://t.co/mkUjAuoOXk
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) January 27, 2022
Probably only going to hear Rodgers and Davante are headed to Denver 400,000,000 times over the next 2 months https://t.co/wmhpsU1IRV
— Ty Schmit (@tyschmit) January 27, 2022
Rodgers has been very complimentary of Hackett during his time as offensive coordinator of the Packers, saying previously that he hopes that Hackett doesn’t go anywhere without him in the future…
Aaron Rodgers on Nathaniel Hackett last season, with a smirk:
“I hope he doesn’t go anywhere. Unless I do.”
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) January 27, 2022
While Rodgers says that his future is up in the air, you have to believe that going to a franchise with a ton of cap flexibility and a familiar head coach with a pretty talented roster for him would be enticing.
In a division like the AFC West with star quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert you have to play two times a year, you need to have someone who can match that level of productivity. The Broncos have just not had that in recent years with the likes of Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock. It appears that the franchise may be putting the wheels in motion to attract a star quarterback like Aaron Rodgers to the organization.