The Week 5 showdown between the New York Jets and Denver Broncos was, officially, a battle between two one-win teams whose daring trades for veteran quarterbacks had failed to pan out. Unofficially, it was a showdown between a Super Bowl winning head coach and the guy he replaced — the same guy he publicly trashed during the offseason.
Broncos coach Sean Payton took over for Nathaniel Hackett in Denver and didn’t hold back when it came to his predecessor. According to Payton, Hackett’s handling of Russell Wilson “might have been one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL. That’s how bad it was.” He’d later apologize for his comments, but that toothpaste was out of the tube.
This led to a circled calendar date of October 8. That’s when Hackett, now offensive coordinator for the Jets, would get his chance at revenge. And he claimed it, upending Payton and Wilson in Colorado despite having to start Zach Wilson at quarterback.
The New York offense shined in fits and starts without imploding while the Broncos once again sputtered in the second half. As the clock ran out on a 31-21 win, Jets’ players and staffers sought out Hackett to let him know they had his back.
Jets players and staffers, lining up to dap up Nathaniel Hackett for beating the Broncos and the head coach who trashed him this offseason pic.twitter.com/DquVsTUOqc
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) October 8, 2023
That was just a sampling of the love Hackett got on the sideline.
Hackett daps for beating Sean Payton, part II pic.twitter.com/rdn3pcUK20
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) October 8, 2023
Hackett earned a game ball for the win, which improved New York to 2-3 on the season, left their arch rival New England Patriots in the AFC East basement and stoked the team’s playoff hopes for at least another week. More importantly, it gave fans, players and the Jets’ official social media accounts themselves bragging rights.
W. #hackett❤️ #
— Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) October 8, 2023
Feel so happy for Hackett man, well deserved W for him and the team. Revenge is sweet
— Arjun Menon (@arjunmenon100) October 8, 2023
Really happy for Nate Hackett man. Has to feel awesome to be able shove that to Sean Payton
— Will Parkinson (@Willpa11) October 8, 2023
Give us a full Hackett cam
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) October 8, 2023
Sean Payton just lost to Nathaniel Hackett and the Jets.
These were Payton's comments before the season… pic.twitter.com/xgDw0E6kGB
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 8, 2023
If we're being honest, we all knew that the football Gods were going to make Denver lose this game as soon as Payton opened his mouth about Hackett.
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) October 8, 2023
Nathaniel Hackett got a game ball, Robert Saleh said.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) October 8, 2023
"He's an unbelievable dude. Amazing character. Sounds maybe a little selfish, but I'm glad he's here with us."
Zach Wilson talks about getting today's win for Nathaniel Hackett: pic.twitter.com/G6xAaQjGFL
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) October 8, 2023
Nathaniel Hackett and Sean Payton pic.twitter.com/YmHIelJZfS
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) October 8, 2023
Nathaniel Hackett on the Jets sideline watching Russ fumble the game away pic.twitter.com/R1hIosuk8h
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) October 8, 2023
“That’s what I thought” -Hackett, probably pic.twitter.com/SpJ8z38SDh
— Anthony in Levittown ✈️ (@yamraw) October 8, 2023
Sean Payton talked all that smack on Nathaniel Hackett… only to lose to him with Zach freaking Wilson at QB. LOL Broncos.
— Adam Best (@Arrowhead_Adam) October 8, 2023
“I’m glad he’s here with us.”
Zach Wilson on Nathaniel Hackett. #Jets scored 31 points, compiled over 400 yards of offense against Sean Payton, who was very critical of Hackett in an offseason article. pic.twitter.com/Y6RXJNg2Pi
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) October 8, 2023
Hackett & Saleh in the locker room pic.twitter.com/WdMijONC1C
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 8, 2023
when you lose to the "offseason champs" pic.twitter.com/FzNIqGWZks
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 8, 2023
