The Broncos fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett after the team went 4-11 through his first 15 games. Here’s a look at the timeline of Hackett’s tenure in Denver.
Jan. 27
The Broncos name Hackett the 18th head coach in franchise history. GM George Paton lauds the former Green Bay offensive coordinator as a “dynamic leader” who has a “brilliant offensive mind.”
Jan. 28
The Broncos hold an introductory news conference for Hackett at the UCHealth Training Center in Dove Valley. Hackett takes the podium wearing an orange-and-blue striped tie and says, “I feel like this is a dream right now.” It’s the dawn of a new era in apountry.
March 16
Denver announces a blockbuster trade for quarterback Russell Wilson. The Broncos send their 2022 first-round draft pick, 2022 second-rounder, 2022 fifth-rounder, 2023 first-rounder, 2023 second-rounder, tight end Noah Fant, defensive lineman Shelby Harris and quarterback Drew Lock to the Seahawks in exchange for Wilson and a 2022 fourth-round draft pick. Paton calls the trade “a historic day for the Denver Broncos.” Hackett can hardly contain his excitement: “Russell Wilson! Holy (expletive)!”
Sept. 12
Hackett’s tenure begins on an ominous note in the regular-season opener in Seattle, when the head coach opts for a 64-yard field goal try in the waning seconds of the game, botching clock and game management in the process. McManus’ field goal was wide left, and the Broncos lost 17-16; Hackett defends his end-of-game strategy in the postgame press conference but then backtracks the next day, saying he should’ve let the offense go for it on fourth-and-5 to extend the drive instead of attempting the field goal.
Sept. 24
The Broncos hire Jerry Rosburg, a longtime Ravens assistant, as a senior assistant to Hackett to help the first-year head coach with game management. It’s an early sign that even the Broncos’ front office believes Hackett is out of his depth in his new job.
Sept. 25
After beating the lowly Texans in the home opener in Week 2, 16-9, the Broncos outlast the 49ers, 11-10, in Week 3 in a defensive slugfest to improve to 2-1. Looking back, it’s the highlight of Hackett’s short tenure; free-falling Denver hasn’t put together consecutive wins since then.
Oct. 2
In Hackett’s AFC West debut, the Broncos fall to the Raiders, 32-23, in Las Vegas. The Denver defense is torched by tailback Josh Jacobs and receiver Davante Adams, both of whom went over the century mark. Broncos tailback Javonte Williams suffers a season-ending knee injury, the most significant of a multitude of injuries to the starting lineup that Hackett contended with this year.
Oct. 17
After losing to the Colts in overtime in Thursday Night Football in Week 5, the Broncos suffer another primetime setback, losing to the Chargers in overtime on Monday Night Football in Week 6. Wilson hurts his hamstring. At 2-4, the season is already starting to slip away due to an underperforming offense.
Oct. 27
Paton, addressing reporters for the first time in the regular season during the team’s trip to London, backs Hackett amid the 2-5 start. Paton said, “I believe in Nathaniel. I support Nathaniel 100%. He’s kept our building together (during the poor start).”
Oct. 30
The Broncos rally to beat the Jaguars, 21-17, at Wembley Stadium in London. It’s the type of victory that gives the fanbase hope that Hackett, Wilson and the offense are finally starting to find an identity, even as Denver heads into its bye week 3-5.
Nov. 17
The Broncos return from the bye and lose to the Titans, 17-10, in Nashville, blowing an early 10-0 lead as Tennessee uses a flea-flicker TD to get back in the game in the second half. It’s the start of a five-game slide that eliminates the Broncos from playoff contention.
Nov. 20
After Denver’s offense goes dark in the second half of the loss to Tennessee, Hackett announces he’s turning play-calling duties over to quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak ahead of Denver’s Week 11 overtime loss to Las Vegas at Empower Field.
Nov. 27
In another poor offensive showing in Carolina, the Broncos find a new low after defensive lineman Mike Purcell blows up on quarterback Russell Wilson while walking off the field in the fourth quarter of a 23-10 loss. The shouting match is caught by television cameras, with a seemingly oblivious Hackett standing directly in front of the fracas.
Dec. 25
In another primetime flop, the Broncos get blasted, 51-14, by the Rams at SoFi Stadium in a performance Hackett deems “embarrassing.” Wilson throws three interceptions, backup QB Brett Rypien and left guard Dalton Risner get into an altercation on the sideline, and outside linebacker Randy Gregory throws a punch at Rams lineman Oday Aboushi after the game. A total meltdown.
Dec. 26
The Broncos fire Hackett, who is only the fifth coach in NFL history to be canned before the end of his first season. And by the end of the day, special teams coordinator Dwayne Stukes and offensive line coach Butch Barry are fired, too. Rosburg is named interim head coach, taking over a team that features the worst offense in football (NFL-worst 15.5 points per game).
