Nathaniel Hackett is the new Head Coach of the Denver Broncos. The Green Bay Packers Offensive Coordinator for all three years of the Matt LaFleur run finalized a deal with Denver General Manager George Paton late Wednesday night and contract details were expected to be completed today. The two spent 10 hours together in Denver in what was the second interview for the job, Hackett’s first as a Head Coach.
Nathaniel Hackett
Under his guidance in Green Bay, the Packers finished 18th in yards per game in 2019, the first year working with LaFleur. In 2020, Green Bay finished 5th in total offense and led the league in scoring. This past season, Green Bay finished 10th. Hackett previously served as Offensive Coordinator in Jacksonville for two and a half seasons before getting released midway through the 2018 season. He was considered a candidate for the Jaguars’ vacant Head Coaching position but Denver didn’t want to let him get away. Hackett, the son of longtime NFL assistant coach Paul Hackett, got his start in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a Quality Control Offensive coach in 2006 and also had two stints with the Buffalo Bills serving as the OC in 2013 and 2014. But taking the job in Green Bay to work with LaFleur turned into a career changing move for Hackett.
Hackett’s enthusiasm was contagious throughout the football operation in Green Bay. He turned the red zone offense into the Gold Zone because of his affinity for the Austin Powers “Goldmember” movie starring Michael Meyers. His game plan presentations became legendary among the offensive staff and players and with Rodgers playing at an MVP level the past two seasons, along with the emergence of Davante Adams as the NFL’s premier wide receiver, coupled with running backs Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon, the Hackett offense became prolific. Recently, Hackett admitted his three year run in Green Bay was outstanding.
Hackett’s departure was anticipated by LaFleur who said he’s had a succession plan in place. It appears the Packers will promote from within with two likely candidates. The first is Quarterbacks Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Luke Getsy who also interviewed for the Denver job and Offensive Line Coach Adam Stenavich. However, reports from Denver have already emerged that Hackett is considering Stenavich for his offensive coordinator which would be even more disruptive to the Packer staff.
Then there’s the speculation about the future of Rodgers in Green Bay and whether he might consider seeking a trade to join Hackett with the Broncos. The two developed a strong relationship and Rodgers publicly campaigned for Hackett when he became a sought after Head Coaching prospect. The Broncos might also want to put together a package to include Adams. They are reportedly 50 million dollars under the salary cap while the Packers are already 43 million over the cap. After trading Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams, the Broncos are loaded with 11 draft picks. Speculators are already trying to connect the dots even though LaFleur said this week, “there’s no debate’ that the organization from President Mark Murphy, Vice-President Russ Ball and GM Brian Gutekunst all want Rodgers to return in 2022.
Rodgers said he wants his situation resolved before NFL Free Agency begins in March, which is when the Packers will have to decide whether to utilize the franchise tag on Adams and negotiate an extension for the quarterback. It that takes place, it will come at a heavy toll for there would be little to no money left to re-sign many of the more than 20 unrestricted or restricted free agents with contracts coming due.
Speaking of Rodgers, on Wednesday, he was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player by the Pro Football Writers Association of America. Since 2004, every MVP selected by the writers has also gone on to win the officially sanctioned Associated Press MVP Award. If that holds, Rodgers will be the back to back Most Valuable Player and a 4 time MVP. Adams and linebacker De’Vondre Campbell were also named to the All-NFC and All-NFL team by the PFWA.
The Packers are also busy doing some roster building for 2022 following the unexpected exit from the playoffs. On Tuesday, Gutekunst announced the signing of 10 exclusive rights free agents including 6th round draft choice, offensive lineman, Cole VanLanen, the Green Bay product from the University of Wisconsin. Also brought back were wide receiver Chris Blaire, defensive back Kabion Ento, safety Innis Gaines, linebacker La’Darius Hamilton, linebacker Ray Wilborn, center Michal Menet, kicker J.J. Molson and two quarterbacks, Kurt Benkert and Danny Etling. All of those players were on the team’s practice squad or active roster at some point during the year. On Thursday, two more names were added. Wide receiver Rico Gafford, a third year player from Wyoming. He began his career with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders and was the Denver Broncos in 2021, most on the team’s practice squad. Defensive back Kiondre Thomas has also been signed. A first year pro from Kansas State, Thomas was a game day call up from the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad for four games in 2021.
