The Denver Broncos lost to the New York Jets on Sunday, 31-21, as Nathaniel Hackett got the last laugh in his return to Empower Field at Mile High.
Hackett served as Denver’s head coach last season and led one of the worst offenses in franchise history before being fired with a 4-11 record. After new coach Sean Payton took over this offseason, he blasted Hackett unpromoted.
Buy Broncos Tickets“It might have been one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL,” Payton said of Hackett’s coaching in an interview with USA TODAY‘s Jarrett Bell in July. “That’s how bad it was.”
Broncos fans and pundits (Broncos Wire included) piled on leading up to Sunday’s game, criticizing Hackett for last season’s blunders. And the criticism was warranted — Hackett did a poor job in 2022 — but after talking the talk, Denver needed to walk the walk.
Instead, the Broncos failed to back it up on the field, falling to Hackett’s new team. It was an embarrassment, perhaps even more embarrassing than a 70-20 blowout at the hand of the Miami Dolphins earlier this season.
What’s worse for Broncos fans?
— Broncos Wire (@TheBroncosWire) October 8, 2023
There’s still time left to vote in the poll, but at the time of this writing — with 1,500 votes cast — 65% of Broncos fans have said losing to Hackett is worse than allowing 70 points to the Dolphins (35%).
Tough times out here in Broncos Country.
