The Nathaniel Hackett era in Denver is over, just 15 games after it began.
The Broncos, who have been an absolute mess this season, announced Monday that they have fired their first-year coach less than 24 hours after their ugly 51-14 loss to the Rams in Los Angeles on Christmas Day.
Hackett seemed overwhelmed from Week 1 when he couldn’t figure clock management in a loss to the Seahawks and then things just kept getting worse for him and the team as the season progressed.
Russell Wilson has been a shell of himself this season, too, and that trade is looking like a nightmare for the the franchise.
Here’s the team’s announcement:
We have parted ways with Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett.
A statement from Broncos Owner & CEO Greg Penner: pic.twitter.com/1tWMjHv6em
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 26, 2022
While this move isn’t a stunner, it does take a lot to get fired during your first season as a head coach.
Nathaniel Hackett becomes only the FOUR @NFL head coach to be FIRED without lasting one season.
2021: Urban Meyer (JAX)
1978: Pete McCulley (SF)
1949: John Whelchel (WAS)(Others have stepped down or resigned, etc)
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) December 26, 2022
The NFL world had reactions.
The product on the field for the #Broncos was bad. The QB play was bad. The fighting on the sideline was just as bad or maybe worse — a sign the coach had no control over anything. Thus, the firing of #Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 26, 2022
A league source said last night that the #Broncos were looking to "blow it up."
Now that starts with the team firing Nathaniel Hackett, per source.
First reported by @TomPelissero
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) December 26, 2022
Do you think the Broncos will ever admit they hired Nathaniel Hackett because they thought they were going to get Aaron Rodgers and then just kinda had to live with it
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) December 26, 2022
Short of Urban Meyer, I can't think of the last time a coach just colossally and spectacularly failed as much as Nathaniel Hackett. They should write books about this. https://t.co/H4INSPSxls
— Shehan Jeyarajah (@ShehanJeyarajah) December 26, 2022
Broncos fire Hackett.
You can lose. You can’t get embarrassed while you lose. You can’t have players fighting on the sideline. You can’t have 20k no-shows at Mile High. You can’t do and say the same thing every week. You can’t become a mockery on national TV. You just can’t.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) December 26, 2022
Broncos couldn't even wait two more games. Nathaniel Hackett had to go RIGHT NOW. #LetsRide https://t.co/uk9k6LPrnL
— Ian Casselberry (@iancass) December 26, 2022
Nathaniel Hackett gonna be back in Green Bay for the playoffs
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) December 25, 2022
The Denver Broncos have fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett, less than one year after hiring him
Obviously nothing went right for the Broncos this season, which sucks b/c I really liked Hackett. But this seemed inevitable after yesterday's game & is probably best moving forward pic.twitter.com/XxVBesFSZb
— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) December 26, 2022
The Broncos to Nathaniel Hackett pic.twitter.com/W2mrIzKjeJ
— Kmess ✭ (@kmess22) December 26, 2022
"Does it feel real like you're an actual head coach or like you snuck in here?"
"Definitely snuck in here."
– Nathaniel Hackett in September 😬pic.twitter.com/bAztvRHhJd
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) December 26, 2022
Broncos interviewed Eric Bieniemy and chose to hire Nathaniel Hackett. Perhaps they can correct their error. https://t.co/qGTkIsrXRc
— ChuckModi (@ChuckModi1) December 26, 2022
Denver Broncos fans walking into work the day after Christmas finding out Nathaniel Hackett got fired pic.twitter.com/EDlsjugPCC
— RotoRadar (@RotoRadar) December 26, 2022
Nathaniel Hackett is the worst coach in Broncos history.
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) December 25, 2022
When you get paid $250 million to have less TD passes than Davis Mills, and then see Nathaniel Hackett get fired
— PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) December 26, 2022
Nathaniel Hackett will go down as the worst coach in #Broncos history.
— Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) December 26, 2022
Nathaniel Hackett was one of the most incompetent coach's I've ever seen and I am an expert in this matter because I saw Marty Mornhinweg take the wind in an OT game.
— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) December 26, 2022
Hackett just got canned. Nice man. Catastrophically over his head in this job.
— Jim Benemann (@jimbcbs4) December 26, 2022
Wow
Not even a full season with Nathaniel Hackett and he gets axed
That being said, I don't think Kliff Kingsbury will be returning to the Cardinals after the season. The Cards need a fresh start. New management. New coaches
Let's get this show on the road. All business https://t.co/yIqOeOwiQ5
— Andy Kwong (@akwong31) December 26, 2022
The debate of who's the problem between Hackett, Paton and Wilson actually has a simple answer…
All of the above ✅
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) December 25, 2022
