Nathaniel Hackett returned to Denver this week, and he was welcomed by Broncos fans the way one would expect.
Hackett, who now serves as the Jets’ offensive coordinator, went 4-11 as a head coach in Denver last season before being fired. Hackett joined the team with intentions of turning around their underperforming offense, but his offense instead ranked among the NFL’s worst last season.
Buy Broncos TicketsOne problematic area for the Broncos last year was the team’s clock management, an issue that surfaced for New York on Sunday afternoon.
Trailing Denver by five points with the clock ticking down and no timeouts left at the Broncos’ 25-yard line, Hackett called a pass play. The Jets got the ball down to the nine-yard line, but with only nine seconds remaining, New York was not able to get another play off before the game clock expired.
The Jets then went into halftime trailing Denver 13-8. Here’s a sampling of how Broncos fans and pundits reacted on Twitter (now known as X) when Hackett’s returned to Denver to face his former team.
Nathaniel Hackett becoming a martyr for the Jets is so funny.
The Broncos should be the side seeking revenge today 😂 https://t.co/dG7VCxLXR9
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) October 8, 2023
Tired: Nathaniel Hackett revenge game
Wired: Russell Wilson revenge game for Hackett making him look washed
— Brandon Miller (@BrandonMillerPO) October 8, 2023
Nathaniel Hackett’s first play against the Broncos is a run for a loss of a yard.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) October 8, 2023
Oh wow, Bad play call by #Jets Nathaniel Hackett here… they passed the ball in bounds with 15-seconds left and can't stop the clock before half.pic.twitter.com/KdK5R5O1HChttps://t.co/ajqdwsCOMa
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 8, 2023
3 RZ drives, 6 points for Nathaniel Hackett https://t.co/G3tGA8EbOy pic.twitter.com/OlbZsuXI1b
— Zach Segars (@Zach_Segars) October 8, 2023
And wouldn't you know it, the Nathaniel Hackett offense is on pace for 16 points after that laughable inability to spike the ball. Love to see it! 🤣
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) October 8, 2023
Yikes, Nathaniel Hackett.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) October 8, 2023
Jets get nothing with horrible clock management at end of first half. Not Nathaniel Hackett's finest hour.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) October 8, 2023
Nathaniel Hackett’s offense putting on a disaster class in clock management. You love to see it 😂
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) October 8, 2023
Classic Nathaniel Hackett clock management there for the Jets to end the half.
— MileHighGreco (@MileHighGreco) October 8, 2023
Nathaniel Hackett masterclass
— Denver Broncos 365 (@DailyBroncos) October 8, 2023
Call me crazy, but I suspect Nathaniel Hackett was the problem last year.
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) October 8, 2023
The crowd counting down and the Jets still not getting the spike off is just so poetic.
— Robby (@Robby_NFL) October 8, 2023
Hackett ended up getting the last laugh as the Jets went on to beat the Broncos 31-21 in Week 5.
