The Denver Broncos have selected Nathaniel Hackett as the 18th head coach in club history. Hackett was hired off the Green Bay Packers’ coaching staff, where he served as the offensive coordinator.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Thursday morning that the Broncos are finalizing a deal with Hackett to make him their new head coach, per sources informed of the situation. The team later announced the hiring.
The Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator was a hot candidate this cycle. Talks heated up with Denver on Wednesday night as Hackett planned to interview for the Jacksonville Jaguars coaching job Thursday. The Broncos made sure that interview didn’t happen.
Hackett’s hire is the first of nine head coach openings to be filled this offseason.
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“Nathaniel Hackett is a dynamic leader and coach whose intelligence, innovation and charisma impressed us from the very start of this process,” Broncos general manager George Paton said in a statement. “In addition to having a brilliant offensive mind, Nathaniel is an outstanding teacher and communicator with a strong vision for all three phases of our team.
“I could not be more excited to partner with Nathaniel and welcome him along with his family — his wife, Megan, and children Harrison, London, Briar and Everly — to the Denver Broncos.”
Hackett, 42, has spent the past three seasons as the Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator, helping Aaron Rodgers win what is expected to be back-to-back MVPs.
The Packers have the second-most offensive TDs (160) and the fewest giveaways (37) in the NFL since Hackett became the OC in 2019.
While Rodgers and Matt LaFleur received most of the credit outside the Packers facility for Green Bay’s potent offense, both have raved about the job Hackett has done preparing the team each week.
Denver, meanwhile, will now look to build a staff around Hackett. Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Ejiro Evero is considered a leading candidate for defensive coordinator, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported. The Broncos will also request to interview Green Bay’s run game coordinator, Adam Stenavich, to be their new offensive coordinator, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport added.
As the OC, Hackett didn’t call plays in Green Bay, but is considered innovative and energetic, and can relate to players, which will serve him well as a first-time head coach.
Hackett has been endorsed by Rodgers multiple times for head coaching jobs. The connection between the new coach and QB will launch a new round of Rodgers-to-Denver rumors. If the MVP QB decides to force his way out of Green Bay with a trade demand, the Broncos make a lot of sense as a landing spot. Denver has a playoff-caliber roster, with weapons galore on offense and a burgeoning secondary, outside needing a quarterback.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
