NFL media and fans react to the Broncos firing Nathaniel Hackett after just 15 games
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.