Broncos Coach Sean Payton Reconsiders Nathaniel Hackett Criticism

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton expresses regret for blaming Nathaniel Hackett for team's failure; Hackett defends himself.

New Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has expressed regret for his previous comments criticizing Nathaniel Hackett, the former head coach of the team. Payton, who previously worked as an NFL analyst for FOX Sports, admitted that he made a mistake and should have shown more restraint in his remarks. His comments about Hackett's tenure in Denver drew attention across the league, especially considering Hackett's limited experience as a head coach. Payton essentially blamed Hackett for the team's poor performance last season, which led to his firing before the season ended. The Broncos finished the season with a 5-12 record, going 4-11 under Hackett.

Payton's criticism of Hackett included blaming him for the team's off-field issues and their focus on winning the offseason rather than performing well on the field. Payton emphasized that he wants to do the opposite and prioritize on-field success over PR and other distractions. He even suggested that Hackett was to blame for the struggles of newly acquired quarterback Russell Wilson. Payton believes that there were multiple factors contributing to the team's poor performance, and it wasn't solely Wilson's fault.

In addition to his comments about Hackett, Payton also compared the 2022 Broncos to the New York Jets and their attempts to "win the offseason." He mentioned a previous Washington team that tried to assemble a dream team but ultimately underperformed. Payton believes that the Broncos should focus on putting in the work rather than making flashy offseason moves. He acknowledged that there will be challenges in building a relationship with Wilson, but he is ready to tackle them and see how it unfolds.

It's worth noting that Hackett has since joined the Jets as their offensive coordinator, which adds another layer to Payton's comments. Jets head coach Robert Saleh defended Hackett and the team's offseason approach, stating that they are focused on their own success and not concerned with Payton's remarks. Saleh believes that Hackett is doing a phenomenal job and that the coaching staff is dedicated to their own team's progress.

In the same article, Payton expressed his belief that the Broncos will return to the playoffs this season, despite being in a highly competitive division. Meanwhile, the Jets are projected to be the second-best team in their division and face their own challenges.