NFL World Reacts to Broncos’ Firing Nathaniel Hackett

Pro football pundits and observers reacted to the firing on social media.

Nathaniel Hackett’s first season as an NFL coach came to an abrupt end on Monday when the Broncos fired him with a 4–11 record.

The last nail in the coffin occurred on Sunday, when the Broncos lost 51–14 to the Rams. Various Denver players showed frustration on the sideline, and linebacker Randy Gregory even threw a punch at the Rams’ Oday Aboushi in a postgame scuffle.

The Broncos were hopeful for Hackett’s first season, especially after they acquired Russell Wilson ahead of the 2022 season. However, the quarterback’s multiple injuries and struggles have led the team down a rough path. The Pro Bowl quarterback is enduring the worst offensive season in his career with 3,019 passing yards and 12 touchdown passes to nine interceptions in 13 games.

The firing doesn’t come as a huge surprise for the NFL world based on the team’s underwhelming performances this season. Here are some of the most notable thoughts about Hackett’s firing from social media.

The product on the field for the #Broncos was bad. The QB play was bad. The fighting on the sideline was just as bad or maybe worse -- a sign the coach had no control over anything. Thus, the firing of #Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 26, 2022

All season it felt like Nathaniel Hackett held together a sinking ship. The locker room hadn't fallen apart.

That changed yesterday. Obviously, everyone could see it on TV. But you could really feel it in that locker room yesterday. He had lost control. #Broncos

— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) December 26, 2022

Well this wasn't surprising. The Broncos' expectations were through the roof due to a ridiculously talented roster. Hackett showed time and time again that he wasn't fit to be an NFL head coach. The move had to be made. https://t.co/2xA2NrISHO

— Chris (@CBengelCBS) December 26, 2022

Broncos fire Hackett.

You can lose. You can’t get embarrassed while you lose. You can’t have players fighting on the sideline. You can’t have 20k no-shows at Mile High. You can’t do and say the same thing every week. You can’t become a mockery on national TV. You just can’t.

— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) December 26, 2022

Nathaniel Hackett will go down as the worst coach in #Broncos history.

— Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) December 26, 2022

Nathaniel Hackett getting fired seemed inevitable. This team was not competitive, offense a complete mess and did not buy into his leadership. He was hired to help this offense, was most certainly not the case.

— Bobby Thompson (@BThomps81) December 26, 2022

What made the Nathaniel Hackett/Russell Wilson marriage even worse was all those prime-time and national TV games with that suckage on full display. Seemed like the Broncos had more national TV games than anyone else.

— Greg Rajan (@GregRajan) December 26, 2022

was the Tough Decisions Coach the Broncos hired because Nathaniel Hackett was struggling to simultaneously make game management decisions and call plays involved in the decision to fire Nathaniel Hackett

— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) December 26, 2022

Nathaniel Hackett was one of the most incompetent coach's I've ever seen and I am an expert in this matter because I saw Marty Mornhinweg take the wind in an OT game.

— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) December 26, 2022

Hackett fired. Now release Russell Wilson. End this nightmare. #Broncos

— Rick Reilly (@ReillyRick) December 26, 2022