It's always difficult to drop a player from your fantasy football roster who you used an early-to-mid-round draft pick on prior to the season. Even if they're...
Nathaniel Hackett's Tenure as Denver Broncos' Coach Already Looks Like Lost Cause
Oct 18, 2022
Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett calls a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Some individuals are simply not cut out to be head coaches. There's absolutely nothing wrong with being an excellent coordinator or position coach. The big seat becomes a daunting task for many.
How a team reacts under the supervision of a new head coach is always telling. The 2-4 Denver Broncos are currently counted among the league's worst teams at the start of Nathaniel Hackett's tenure.
They play undisciplined football. They're bad in multiple phases. The franchise's near-quarter-billion-dollar quarterback can't seem to establish any kind of rhythm or consistency whatsoever.
A lot must be going through the mind of new owner Rob Walton, who set a North American sports record by buying the Broncos for $4.65 billion. Walton wasn't the driving force behind hiring Hackett, though.
The sale of the organization to the current ownership group wasn't official until August. A terribly played 19-16 overtime loss Monday to the rival Los Angeles Chargers should have Walton already wondering if someone else is better for the job.
Hackett has given zero indication that he can handle his current position.
A truly great leader of an NFL franchise is more than someone with an in-depth knowledge of Xs and Os. The very best are CEOs who know how to manage people and situations. They can delegate while getting the locker room to buy into their vision. No magic word will turn a coach who's in over his head into a superhero hire.
Maybe Hackett just needs time. But time is precious in the NFL. Coaches are getting less and less time to build a program. Professional football brings a win-now mentality that consistently harkens back to Jerry Glanville's prophetic words, "This is the N-F-L, which stands for Not For Long ... "
"This is very disappointing," Hackett told reporters after his squad's third straight loss. "We need to have a lot more urgency across the board. It starts with me ... "
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 17: Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos is sacked by Khalil Mack #52 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter at SoFi Stadium on October 17, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Yes, it does. The locker room may already be turning on its coach. Frustration tends to boil over, especially after back-to-back overtime losses.
Some comments may become overblown as a result. But open discussion about a lack of leadership points directly to the coach, whether it's intended or not.
"I don't know. ... It starts with leadership," safety Justin Simmons said when asked what's gone wrong during the Broncos' first six games.
The defensive back elaborated, "It starts with leadership from a defensive standpoint, offensive standpoint, special teams. Something obviously isn't going right. And we need to find a way to fix it. ... We can't keep doing the same things ... and think things are going to change."
The coach's job is to identify those areas of concern, make necessary changes and place his players in a position to succeed.
Currently, Denver scores fewer points per game (15.2) than any other squad. A struggling unit trying to find its footing is one thing. An undisciplined team with as many mental mistakes and blown plays as the Broncos is something completely different.
Talent can be found on the roster, particularly on defense.
Simmons, Patrick Surtain II, Bradley Chubb and Baron Browning are excellent football players. Each is a potential long-term building block.
The offense has potential with multiple weapons in the passing game and backs to run the ball, even without Javonte Williams in the lineup after suffering a season-ending torn ACL. Yet Melvin Gordon III was nowhere to be found throughout most of Monday's contest because the staff decided Latavius Murray provided the Broncos with a better starting option.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Montrell Washington (12) misses a punt by the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The mistakes and poor decisions are stacking with each passing week.
In Hackett's debut as head coach/offensive play-caller, he struggled to get plays in on time and make sound situational football decisions. As a result, Broncos fans responded by counting down the play clock in Week 2. Before Week 3, Denver hired Jerry Rosburg to serve as senior assistant and help the head coach with game management.
The Broncos squeaked by the San Francisco 49ers before starting their current three-game losing skid. In Denver's latest effort, the team's 151 penalty yards during a Monday Night Football contest are the most since the stat started being tracked in 2000, per TruMedia Sports (h/t The Athletic).
Former president of football operations and current consultant John Elway already lived through a similar situation. Elway hired Vance Joseph to be the Broncos' head coach in 2017 and nearly fired him after one season. But Elway allowed Joseph to coach a second season before regretting the decision.
"I talked to [Vance Joseph] before the process a couple of years ago and knew him, and going in, I had an idea that he was kind of our guy. I admit it. I was wrong on that one," Elway told NBC Sports' Peter King. "I don't like to say it out loud because I don't want to offend VJ, who is a good football coach. But things didn't work out."
If asked by the new owner what he would do with Hackett, Elway can look at his experience and suggest the team go in a different direction.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 02: President of football operations John Elway of the Denver Broncos looks on during warm ups prior to the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
At the time, Elway added, "The other thing that I've learned is that the bottom line in this league, it's about winning. Forget about anything else. You want to do things the right way, and we work on everything else. It's very difficult to do it year in and year out unless you find a franchise quarterback."
Well, Wilson is the guy the franchise had been searching for since Peyton Manning retired. The financial realities of his contract mean he's the starting quarterback through, at minimum, the 2024 campaign.
Nonetheless, Hackett wasn't even the clear choice during this year's hiring cycle.
"We interviewed [Kevin O'Connell] last year, and we were really, really impressed with his interview, so it does not surprise me that he's having good success up there," Elway told the St. Paul Pioneer Press' Chris Tomasson.
"He was very, very impressive in the interview process, and it was nip and tuck which way we wanted to go. So I was glad to see that he got an opportunity, and I'm glad to see he's having the success he's having because he gave a great interview with us."
The Broncos are a mess. Is everything Hackett's fault? Of course not. Individuals on the field must be held accountable for their mistakes.
At the same time, the culmination of multiple factors—including, but not limited to, a stagnant offense, a struggling franchise quarterback, sloppy football and a losing record while quickly losing ground in the AFC West—portends a change at head coach.
The same mistakes can't be repeated. With a coach seemingly in over his head, a fresh start for ownership and Wilson may be exactly what's needed.
Brent Sobleski covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @brentsobleski.
Report: Nathaniel Hackett's Job Security as Broncos Head Coach Questioned Around NFL
Oct 15, 2022
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 02: Head coach Nathaniel Hackett of the Denver Broncos looks on in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
Numerous NFL executives expressed pessimism about the tenure of Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett, who has gotten off to a disappointing 2-3 start in his first year at the helm.
Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post spoke with a few anonymous sources, who cast doubt over whether Hackett can right the ship after a rough start.
"Conversations with executives, evaluators and coaches who have watched the Broncos closely paint a bleak picture of their game-day operations and offensive scheme and identity, with problems so prevalent they wonder whether a largely unproven staff can get it righted," La Canfora wrote.
"Several suggested the need at least to bring on other outside consultants to try to spark more immediate gains, and fairly or not, Hackett's ability to survive his first season on the job is being debated in other teams' headquarters and around the league."
Hackett excelled during his last stop as the offensive coordinator with the Green Bay Packers, who were led by back-to-back MVP Aaron Rodgers. He parlayed that stint into the Broncos' gig, but he's had a rough going so far.
"Unless something changes quickly, I don't think he gets through the year. It looks too big for him. It looks too fast for him," a longtime personnel executive said to La Canfora. "The red-zone play-calling has been awful. I don't see enough adjustments being made."
The Broncos entered this season with high hopes after adding nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson via trade from the Seattle Seahawks.
However, the season began disastrously with a 17-16 road loss to those same Seahawks in Week 1. During that game, Hackett notably chose to go for a late 64-yard field goal instead of giving the ball to Wilson to convert a 4th-and-5 in hopes of getting into better field-goal range. The attempt was no good, and the Broncos lost.
A pair of ugly offensive performances in a 16-9 victory against the Houston Texans and an 11-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers preceded a loss to the previously winless Las Vegas Raiders.
The nadir of the season came two Thursdays ago, however, when the Broncos lost 12-9 at home in overtime to an Indianapolis Colts team that was missing their top offensive star in running back Jonathan Taylor and sits last in the NFL in points per game.
That included a 4th-and-1 shot to the end zone for the win in overtime, but the ball fell incomplete. Wilson also threw a red-zone pick in the fourth quarter.
Red-zone issues have been a problem—the Broncos are dead-last in the league with a red-zone touchdown percentage of just 21.4 percent—which one exec noted.
"Some of that is on the quarterback, certainly," a rival general manager said, "but they don't seem to have a lot of ideas when the field gets tight, and I don't think they have the right people in that building now to fix it."
Now Denver is in danger of falling to 2-4 with a Monday night matchup at the Los Angeles Chargers looming, and execs do not have much hope.
Still, the season is just five games old, with 12 more to go. Hackett does have time to turn this around and restore hope in the team's prospects, specifically the offense. We'll see if he's able to get it done starting Monday.
Broncos' Russell Wilson on Criticism: I Am Built for 'Good Times' and 'Tough Times'
Oct 13, 2022
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 06: Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos reacts after the play against the Indianapolis Colts at Empower Field at Mile High on October 6, 2022 in Denver, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
To say the start of Russell Wilson's first season with the Denver Broncos hasn't gone as planned would be quite the understatement, but he is keeping an optimistic mindset.
"I am built for the good times and the tough times," he told reporters Thursday.
The Broncos are 2-3 through five games, with all three losses coming by single digits.
While the close margins of defeat suggest Denver isn't far away from being a contender, the offense has scored fewer than 17 points in four of the five contests. Wilson and the offense were booed a number of times in Denver during last Thursday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts as the unit scored a mere nine points in an overtime game.
Health was apparently an issue, as ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the 33-year-old has been playing with a partially torn lat near his right shoulder that he suffered in the Week 4 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
NFL Media's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reported Wilson received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection on Friday in an effort to return to health without missing significant time.
"Wilson's hope, sources say, is that the injection—coupled with round-the-clock treatment from his personal medical team—will expedite the healing process," they wrote. "It's unclear, based on precedent and discussions with experts, whether the injection will improve his situation."
Optimism was high in Denver at the start of the season with the addition of Wilson.
After all, he is likely a future Hall of Famer with a resume that includes a Super Bowl title, nine Pro Bowl selections and four seasons with more than 4,000 passing yards. He seemed to be just the quarterback to help the Broncos compete with Patrick Mahomes' Kansas City Chiefs and Justin Herbert's Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC West.
Yet he is now dealing with health concerns and poor performance on the field after having completed 59.4 percent of his passes for 1,254 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions through five games.
Wilson has never completed worse than 61.3 percent of his passes in a season during his 11 seasons.
To hear him say it, he is built for adversity like what he and the Broncos are facing this season. Perhaps a turnaround begins with Monday Night Football when they play at the Chargers.
Report: Broncos' Russell Wilson Got Injection to Relieve Pain from Shoulder Injury
Oct 8, 2022
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 20: Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos runs off the field during the third quarter of a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on August 20, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)
Denver Broncos star Russell Wilson received a platelet-rich plasma injection in Los Angeles on Friday to relieve pain from an injury in his throwing shoulder, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wilson is dealing with a partially torn lat muscle.
"Wilson's hope, sources say, is that the injection—coupled with round-the-clock treatment from his personal medical team—will expedite the healing process," Rapoport and Pelissero wrote. "It's unclear, based on precedent and discussions with experts, whether the injection will improve his situation."
Dak Prescott had a similar injury and took a few weeks off in camp to make it go away. Russell Wilson will play through it. But certainly something to watch. https://t.co/q15bGfe5bL
Wilson suffered the shoulder injury in a Week 4 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Broncos have been unable to identify a true long-term solution at quarterback following John Elway's retirement.
Peyton Manning's four years in Denver culminated with the franchise's best spell in the post-Elway era, and the team effectively looked to replicate that blueprint with the acquisition of Wilson.
The nine-time Pro Bowler was coming off a disappointing 2021 season by his usual standards, though. He threw for 3,113 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions as the Seattle Seahawks finished with a losing record for the first time since he arrived in 2012.
Wilson also missed three games after undergoing surgery on his right middle finger.
Once Patrick Mahomes won an MVP in his first season as a starter in 2018, the road to the playoffs in the AFC West was going to be tough. The Kansas City Chiefs were poised to be a contender for a long time to come.
Justin Herbert's emergence with the Los Angeles Chargers made the challenge of claiming a postseason berth more difficult.
Acquiring Wilson was both a sign of the Broncos' intent and a reflection of how loaded their division is. To that end, his health and performance will be critical toward Denver ending a six-year postseason drought.
Wilson has struggled through the first five weeks of the season, 59.4 percent of his passes for 1,254 yards and four touchdowns against three interceptions. The Broncos are 2-3 and third in the AFC West behind the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers.
Russell Wilson $245M Contract Mocked by NFL Twitter During Broncos' OT Loss to Colts
Oct 7, 2022
DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 06: Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos passes during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Empower Field At Mile High on October 06, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
When the Denver Broncos acquired quarterback Russell Wilson in a blockbuster trade and then signed him to a $245 million contract extension with $165 million guaranteed, the team surely expected great things from its offense.
Unfortunately, things just have not worked out the way they hoped.
The Broncos lost an abysmal game against the Indianapolis Colts 12-9 in overtime at Mile High Stadium on Thursday Night Football. In a game absent of offense, Wilson finished with 274 yards and two interceptions on 21-of-39 passing. He added 22 rushing yards on four carries. His second interception was particularly brutal, as it occurred late in the fourth quarter when Denver was in the red zone on the verge of putting the game away.
The play we're seeing from Wilson this season is a far cry from the form he displayed for 10 years with the Seattle Seahawks.
The nine-time Pro Bowl selection has not gotten used to his new surroundings, as he noticeably lacks chemistry with receivers Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy despite working together all offseason. Wilson also appears to have a disconnect with Broncos first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett.
NFL Twitter unloaded on Wilson and the Broncos offense for their continued struggles on Thursday.
If only the #Broncos followed the #Walmart slogan when it came to the Russell Wilson contract negotiations. Save money, live better.
This idea that the Broncos OL still don’t have Russell Wilson’s cadences and rhythms down in week 5 is insane to me. You’ve been practicing and playing with him for what, 5 months now? He’s a veteran QB it’s not like his cadence sucks or isn’t consistent. I don’t get it.
Good news: Broncos offense will be fine. Bad news: It'll be in 2023. After a head coaching/personnel change. I always thought this year would be rough as they adjust to Russell Wilson. Next year it'll be better.
With 11:42 remaining in 2Q, after Russell Wilson pass is not in same area code of receiver due to miscommunication, message to Broncos offense is clear from crowd: boo!
Thank goodness the Bears had their MASSIVE offer for Russell Wilson rejected by the Seahawks. Multiple first round picks, additional picks and players. 👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎
After that Russell Wilson interception, the Broncos are now 0-3 in the red zone tonight and have scored a TD on just 23% of their red zone drives this season.
That is the worst mark by any team through 5 games since 2010 (Carolina - 22%, Washington - 23%).
After landing Wilson, the Broncos were expected to compete for a division title in the AFC West. The performance Denver put forth against Indianapolis indicated otherwise, as the team failed to establish any momentum on offense throughout the night.
It's still early, but it's worth questioning whether Wilson is a good fit with the Broncos. Denver (2-3) will have some extra time to figure things out before returning to action in another primetime matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) on Oct. 17 on Monday Night Football.
NFL Rumors: Broncos Aren't 'Too Concerned' with Russell Wilson Despite Slow Start
Oct 5, 2022
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 02: Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos passes during an NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Russell Wilson hasn't lived up to expectations since joining the Denver Broncos, but "the team isn't too concerned at the moment," according to ESPN's Jeff Legwold.
Legwold added that "alarms aren't sounding" despite the slow start since his trade from the Seattle Seahawks.
Denver is 2-2, although it's the defense that's been leading the way. The squad ranks fifth in the NFL in points allowed but just 30th in points scored while averaging just 16.5 points per game.
Wilson has just four touchdown passes in four games, with a 3.1 touchdown rate that would be the worst of his 11-year career over a full season.
Though Wilson has mostly avoided mistakes, his 44.9 total QBR ranks just 21st in the NFL.
There is still plenty to build on, including the quarterback's two fourth-quarter comebacks this season, which have helped keep the Broncos competitive despite Wilson's struggles in a new system.
The nine-time Pro Bowler also has developed impressive chemistry with Courtland Sutton, who is averaging 85.8 receiving yards per game this season. If he can get in step with Jerry Jeudy as well, the passing attack could truly take off.
Fantasy managers might have already given up on Wilson, but the Broncos are clearly willing to remain patient with the talented player.
Denver will look to turn things around Thursday night against the Indianapolis Colts.
Broncos' Russell Wilson 'Super Confident' in Status for Week 5 amid Shoulder Injury
Oct 4, 2022
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 02: Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to an NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson is a little banged up heading into Week 5, but he believes he'll be just fine for the Thursday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Wilson, who was limited in Tuesday's walkthrough because of a shoulder injury, told reporters he's "super confident" that he'll play on Thursday "with no limitations."
Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said Monday that Wilson was "dinged up" in the team's 32-23 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. While Denver didn't practice Monday, Wilson was among the players listed as limited on the team's estimated injury report. However, Hackett added that the team expects Wilson to be able to play Thursday.
Wilson is coming off one of his better games in a Broncos uniform, throwing for 237 yards and two touchdowns and running for another score in the loss to the Raiders. But he was also sacked three times, which brings his season total to 12 through four games.
After being acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson is still getting acclimated to his surroundings. The 33-year-old has thrown for 980 yards, four touchdowns and an interception while completing 61.1 percent of his passes. There have been times when it appeared Wilson wasn't on the same page with Hackett, who is in his first year as Broncos head coach.
Denver needs Wilson to be at his best if it hopes to keep pace in the AFC West. The Broncos already lost starting running back Javonte Williams to a season-ending torn ACL and LCL, dealing a major blow to their offense. The team will likely be forced to rely on Wilson and the passing attack.
Broncos' Javonte Williams Reportedly Tore ACL, Out for Season with Injury
Oct 3, 2022
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) is cartted off the field during the second half of an NFL football game against theLas Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams reportedly tore his ACL during Sunday's 32-23 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, according to the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, ending his season.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network added that Williams also suffered a "torn LCL and posterior lateral corner."
The sophomore back had rushed 47 times for 204 yards this season, adding 16 catches for 76 yards.
Williams suffered the injury in the third quarter of Sunday's matchup with the Raiders.
"Obviously seeing Javonte go down, that hurt," quarterback Russell Wilson told reporters.
The 22-year-old was a second-round pick of the Broncos in the 2021 NFL draft and rushed for 903 yards and four scores as a rookie, combining with Marvin Gordon III to give the Broncos a solid one-two punch at running back.
Since his debut in 2021, #Broncos Javonte Williams leads all running backs in yards after contact per rush (min. 200 carries). His 2.51 avg. better than Johnathan Taylor, Nick Chubb, Derrick Henry and Aaron Jones, who rank next, per @ESPNStatsInfohttps://t.co/9ugpB3VPIz
"He runs his butt off," left guard Dalton Risner told reporters. "He's a special dude. Of course, we are going to miss him."
Gordon has struggled, meanwhile, fumbling four times on the year and losing two of them, including one in the second quarter on Sunday that was returned for a touchdown. When Williams went down, third-stringer Mike Boone initially replaced him, though Gordon saw some work as well.
"I have to (bounce back) for the team," Gordon told reporters after Sunday's loss. " ... I made a mistake, first guys over there to cheer me up, to get me back right, them boys believe in me, I just got to be better."
Gordon and Boone will lead Denver's backfield with Williams done for the year, though the Broncos could also look to upgrade the position via free agency or a trade.
Report: Broncos' Javonte Williams Feared to Have Serious Injury; Gregory to Have MRI
Oct 3, 2022
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) is cartted off the field during the second half of an NFL football game against theLas Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
The Denver Broncos may have suffered significant losses on both sides of the ball Sunday.
ESPN's Jeff Legwold reported that running back Javonte Williams and defensive end Randy Gregory are set to undergo MRIs on Monday morning after suffering knee injuries in Sunday's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Legwold added that Williams was seen leaving the locker room on crutches.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Williams is believed to have suffered a "serious knee injury" and there is "not a lot of optimism" regarding the situation.
Williams suffered his injury on the first play of the second half. He stayed down on the field after a one-yard rush, and trainers helped him to the sideline to examine him in the medical tent. Gregory also was injured in the second half and didn't return to the game.
Williams was visibly unable to put his full weight on his right leg as he made his way off the field. The second-year speedster was then carted back to the locker room. He had 28 yards on 10 carries at the time of his exit.
A second-round pick in the 2021 draft, Williams entered Sunday's game as Denver's leading rusher with 37 carries for 176 yards, though he hadn't reached the end zone. He was also second on the team through the first three weeks with 15 receptions.
Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson finished as the team's leading rusher in Sunday's loss with 29 yards and a touchdown on four carries. Veteran Melvin Gordon III, who usually splits carries with Williams, only had three touches for eight yards after coughing up a fumble in the second quarter that was returned 68 yards for a touchdown.
Fifth-year running back Mike Boone carried the ball for the first time this season and finished with 20 yards on three rushes.
Despite the quiet game, Gordon should be expected to take over as the featured back if Williams is forced to miss time. The Broncos will have a quick turnaround, as they take on the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday Night Football.
