The first domino has fallen in the 2022 head coaching hiring cycle. The Broncos have hired Nathaniel Hackett as their new head coach, as first reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link). 
Hackett, 42 has been the offensive coordinator in Green Bay since 2019. While he hasn’t handled play-calling duties during that time, he is credited to a large degree with the high level of play QB Aaron Rodgers has sustained well into his thirties, and the Packers’ three-straight 13-win seasons.
Prior to his time in Green Bay, he had established himself as one of the best young offensive minds in the league during stints in Buffalo and Jacksonville. He interviewed with the Jaguars once already, and had a second meeting scheduled for today. That sped up the hiring process for Broncos general manager George Paton, who “stepped in Wednesday night to get a deal done”, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Hackett will take on a HC role for the first time in his career, both at the college and NFL levels. Meanwhile, he marks the fourth coach hired by Denver since 2016, a stretch that includes five consecutive losing seasons. The offense-based background for Hackett represents a departure from that of the recently-fired Vic Fangio, as well as Dan Quinn, the Cowboys’ DC who has been the hottest name in this year’s hiring cycle and was a finalist for this job.
For the Packers, QB coach Luke Getsy, who also interviewed in Denver, is the favorite to take over as their OC. Meanwhile, this news strengthens the case for Byron Leftwich to get the Jacksonville gig.
Here’s how Denver’s HC search ended up looking:
- Eric Bieniemy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/21
- Brian Callahan, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Interviewed 1/20
- Jonathan Gannon, defensive coordinator (Eagles): Interviewed 1/19
- Luke Getsy, quarterbacks coach (Packers): Interviewed 1/14
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/13
- Nathaniel Hackett, offensive coordinator (Packers): Hired
- Jerod Mayo, linebackers coach (Patriots): Interviewed 1/19
- Kellen Moore, offensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/18
- Kevin O’Connell, offensive coordinator (Rams): Finalist
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): Finalist
Be sure to check in on our Head Coach Search Tracker for all the latest updates as more vacancies begin to be filled.
Using Hackett as Aaron Rodgers “bait” is a very poor strategy. O’Connell was the proper choice for making this team better.
They hired the right guy if they want a shot at Rodgers
Why go after Rodgers? We all have seen him and Adams flounder in the playoffs for years right? But none the less, Denver could very well likely trade multiple picks and players for 2 dudes that just don’t get it done in the postseason.
Because getting Aaron Rodgers at least gives you a shot. They don’t want to keep rolling with Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock. They believe they’re a QB away. Plus, I highly doubt they hired Hackett only to lure in Rodgers.
We’ll see if they go after the GB duo. But their rivals all drafted their own QB’s. Mahomes, Herbert and Carr.
To me, Rodgers has turned into a soap opera media hawg. It’s not conducive to winning in the post season. Look at his record for proof of that; 11-10 record is not spectacular.
Their rivals may have drafted QB’s, but Denver isn’t in the position to wait. They want to win now. Especially with new ownership coming soon. They have a solid defense and running game. This years QB class isn’t spectacular, even though you never know how any of them will turn out someday. It’d just be a huge gamble. Established QB coming of likely back to back MVP’s > lottery ticket rookie QB.
What team doesn’t want to win now? Personally, I think AR is content w/ his standings. His peers; PM, EM, Ben, Brees all won at least once & all will be 1st ballot HoF’ers.
Aaron simply isn’t worth the cost and time. Did Tom run to every media outlet prior to leaving NE, no. Or Peyton before leaving the Colts? But Aaron can never turn down an interview. There’s a difference.
Um, Brady made Belichick come to his house and grovel to have him return, which Belichick did not do to his liking. That was because he was a free agent. Manning was as well. Rodgers is on contract. I don’t think comparing the situations is quite as even.
Tom’s family cleared out their sweet after that last loss while in a Pats uniform. Neither Tom nor BB groveled to one another. Never happened, but believe what you will.
The Colts clearly walked on from Peyton w/ the 1st pick (Luck) and Rodgers re-negotiated his contract last offseason.
Same circumstances.
Bait how? Green Bay decides where they trade him and Rodgers already listed Denver as a place he’d go, right?
I actually think that using this hire as a pretext to a Rodgers pursuit is the only way that it was the best choice. Hopefully for Denver, this is not a repeat of the Nick Sirianni hire where Philadelphia made a hire for their quarterback that they ended up shipping off later.
However, there are two things we should remember. One, Sirianni ended up making the playoffs somehow. Hackett may, like Sirianni, end up having some success with whomever he ends up with. The other is that Hackett did call plays in Jacksonville with some success. So he does have some limited experience there.
This last thing is more of a side possibility…Hackett predated Gardner Minshew, but I wonder how much of his offense translated to 2019. Minshew may be a dark horse option if Denver doesn’t get who they want, and once again the QBs this year in the draft don’t seem to be too special. Just something to consider, I think, as an outside chance.
Let’s see what comments come from Rodgers on this move.
Aaron? Go out of his way to speak his mind to the media? Surely you jest!!!
/sarcasm, a lot of it
Who says they need the GB duo?
I think the Broncos only get Rodgers if anything. Even then, Rodgers isnt a lock. Adams is going to be given the franchise tag.
As for the hire, I think they got a solid guy. Nothing flashy.
Given the tag doesn’t mean he’ll sign it. He’ll still have leverage to sit out or demand a trade. And if I’m GB I don’t think paying Adams $20+ million to catch 3 passes for 29 yards from Love is a great investment.
Manny, I don’t think that I could have said that better. I don’t have an opinion yet on whether Adams will sit out, but you are correct in pointing out his options and the relative value he’ll have as a highly paid receiver on a possibly low volume offense.
Why wouldn’t he sign it. That’s easy money for one year of playing. I understand where you are coming from and I get it.
I’m saying the WR stable in Denver is stacked.
A. He wants Hopkins money.
B. He wants a long term deal.
C. He doesn’t want 3/29 Stat lines .
D. He wants to continue catching passes from Rodgers.
As for Denver’s wr group, talk is that 1 of them would be part of the Rodgers trade package (or Rodgers/Adams deal if that’s what it ends up being). I’m guessing too that Denver would be happy replacing any of their current wr’s production with 100+ catches, 1400ish yards and 10 TD.
I think Rodgers could make any of those WRs that production. Let’s be honest. Those aren’t some scrubs. Jeudy, Sutton, Patrick all have some skills.
I get all of that. I don’t think the demanding way is Davante Adams style. He should get paid and deserves it.
You might be forgetting how difficult it is for Rodgers to warm up to guys. He didn’t just want Cobb back in GB cuz they’re BFF’s. Call it familiarity, chemistry or whatever, he’s not going to instantly mesh with those guys.
And, it’s been mentioned a lot that Jeudy could be included in the return package for Rodgers. And both 12 and 17 have been pretty consistent about wanting to be together wherever that may be.
there are two outcomes here 1. Rodgers doesnt want to come and Hackett gets exposed without him or 2. Rodgers comes to Denver and just chokes in a new town.
Yeah this seems like they may have made a reach for all the wrong reasons. I’m not saying Hackett isn’t qualified, but compared to some of the other candidates Hackett just comes across as “meh” to me. The Broncos should have done better for themselves and not worried so much about advertising for Rodgers.
What is Eric Bieniemy now, 0 for 50 in head coaching interviews? Either he is the worst job interviewer the NFL has ever seen, or something else about him is turning teams away. He’s certainly got the credentials, experience and recommendations to have a head coaching gig by now, one would think.
He is reportedly a bad interview with a history of sexual assault allegations dating back to Colorado.
He’s been interviewed by like half the league, and universally rejected. HC and OC are very different jobs requiring different skill sets. And btw, Andy Reid is the OC of the Chiefs.. Maybe Bienemy should roll the dice and seek out a real OC job elsewhere in order to build his resume. Just a thought.
Agree with this. Hard to tell what Bienemy’s skill set is with a great qb and HC that calls offensive plays. If he is a bad interview on top of it, would be hard for a team to trust that they are making the right decision with him.
So are we just ignoring the fact that GB is the one who has to give up Rogers?! He literally has zero say in this until next off season. GB has been pretty freaking clear that they don’t intend to trade him (right or wrong). So he will not be cheap. For anyone.
He won’t be cheap, but I feel like the Packers will be inclined to trade him if Rodgers makes it clear that he wants out. I’m not saying they will give him away, but I don’t think they want an unhappy Rodgers being (more of) a distraction next year if it comes to that.
That’s the exact thing everyone said last year. Personally, I think GB are fools not trading him last off-season, while his value was sky high. While he still has plenty of value now, it certainly isn’t what it was last season (coming off MVP and before his contract was changed). GB knows Love is a bum. They start a painful rebuild the moment Rogers is gone. So might as well try 1 more time I guess.
How does GB KNOW Love is a bum? How does anyone know after *checks notes* two preseason games and six quarters of regular season play… You were probably saying Josh Allen was a bum a year into his career. Love may not become a good QB, but to act like you or anyone else knows is ludicrous.
They have seen him in practice for 3 years. And meetings. Film sessions. Maybe even have some insight on his grasp of the playbook.
To think they are basing their evaluation on the same limited exposure we fans have is silly.
Now, that’s not to say they have concluded he’s a bum, but they certainly have more evidence than you or me.
Of course they have more evidence, but the commenter was pretending his speculation that Green Bay “knows” Love is a bum was pure fact
^^^BINGO
Frankly, I kind of hope the 49ers win the SB. If they do, it might make the idea of trading Trey Lance a little easier if handed draft picks and being faced with resigning Garoppolo. What’s not to like winning the SB and have more higher round draft picks to boot to re-tool a team that just won it all?
Imagine hiring a coordinator because they had access to a HOF QB.. had nothing to do with Hackett, same as Leftwich and Bienemy.. hire these guys and be prepared
Rodgers had a good season because he’s Aaron Rodgers. Any OC would have to be cross-eyed to make him look bad. I’d much rather put my faith in an OC that has risen to the challenge of having a less than ideal offense.
This feels like a lot more commonplace than confident, and I’ve never heard of a quarterback going to another team because his previous OC went there.
Routine pick, but I read that players like the way he communicates, so we’ll see.
Hiring a non play calling OC that had an all time great QB holding his hand… not gonna turn out well. Terrible choice.
1 report I just read indicates Denver also may have hired him now to prevent Jacksonville from getting him.
That’s also an interesting point, since he was fired as their OC prior to GB hiring him.
Hmm. I like this hire for the Broncos, I really do. However . . . BIENEMY WOULD HAVE BEEN THE BETTER CHOICE! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS? People are just so biased.
Going from Fangio to Hackett is a 180 degree turn that suggests the Broncos are just winging it hoping to get lucky. You only have to look at the Dolphins to see that constantly changing directions never results in success.
It might also suggest they know something we don’t (and by “know” I mean conversations they’ve had with people that schefter and Co aren’t reporting..or making up on their own).
I believe the Stafford/Goff deal was agreed to in principle long before the league allowed it to be official. If true, they could have a good handle on the situation.
And really, what do they have to lose now? 6 years and 10 starting QB’s since Manning retired (not sure how many HC’s, OC’s, QB coaches and so on) has gotten them nowhere.
I’m thinking if their approach is to hire a HC who can possibly entice a HOF QB (who reportedly has Denver on his short list anyway..) it’s as good as any.
What is the alternative? Hire another defensive minded HC and hope the next random QB/OC pairing will work?
If he is half as good of a coach as his dad buddy was a comedian then this should be a great hire!