FIRED: Following the last event start, the Denver Broncos fire first-year head coach 

FIRED: Following the last event start, the Denver Broncos fire first-year head coach .

The Broncos dismissed Nathaniel Hackett the day after Denver’s 51-14 defeat to the Rams. Image courtesy of Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Denver Broncos
After a 4-11 start, Denver fires first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett. The Broncos lost badly, 51-14, against the Raiders on Christmas evening.

There are two games remaining in the season when the Denver Broncos dismiss first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett.

Owner and CEO Greg Penner said Monday that he will spearhead the hunt for a new coach, with support from General Manager George Paton, in whom he voiced trust.

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With two games remaining in a lost season, Penner may fire Hackett and start looking for a successor right now.

The Broncos have set a press conference on Tuesday, when they plan to announce the interim head coach for their games against the Chargers in Week 18 and against Kansas City the following weekend.

In the summer of last year, the Walton-Penner group paid $4.65 billion for the Broncos, setting a record for any professional sports team worldwide.

The similarly demoralised Los Angeles Rams defeated the Broncos (4–11) 51–14 on Sunday, thanks in large part to three interceptions and six sacks of quarterback Russell Wilson. In the game, backup quarterback Brett Rypien and guard Dalton Risner got into a fight on the sideline, and after the game, pass rusher Randy Gregory punched a Rams player.

Penner commended Hackett for his commitment in a statement released on Monday, but said, “After extensive discussions with George and our ownership group, we concluded a new direction would ultimately be in the best interest of the Broncos.” We made this adjustment right away to show our respect for all parties concerned and to start the process of finding a new head coach right now.

In order to revive this team’s winning heritage, Penner said, “going forward, we will carefully evaluate every aspect of our football operations and make whatever changes are necessary.”

Hackett took over for Vic Fangio in January of last year, but he hasn’t been able to develop an offensive strategy that fits Wilson, who turned 34 recently.

The NFL has sacked Hackett as its third head coach in 2022. The Indianapolis Colts dismissed Frank Reich and appointed coaching rookie Jeff Saturday in his stead. The Carolina Panthers named interim head coach Steve Wilks in lieu of Matt Rhule.

Many fans believed that in order to assist them get quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Broncos hired Hackett away from the Green Bay Packers, where he served as offensive coordinator. However, Wilson was seen as still being in his prime, and the Broncos traded for him after Rodgers made the decision to re-up with the Packers.

However, since the Broncos traded three players and four first-round draft selections for the nine-time Pro Bowler in Seattle, Wilson has had a terrible first season in Denver. Wilson has made 13 starts, 12 touchdown passes, 9 interceptions, and 49 sacks, but he hasn’t been able to break out of his season-long slump.

As Denver’s starting quarterback, he is 3–10 and has missed games due to hamstring pulls and concussions.

This season, he has noticeably diminished his ability to elude pass rushers and has often shunned open receivers below in favour of long passes.

The Broncos’ losing streak has now reached six seasons, and they have missed the playoffs seven times in a row.

They will aim to defeat Patrick Mahomes for the first time in 11 attempts on Sunday in an attempt to end a 14-game losing run against the Kansas City Chiefs.