Jets players and coaches were quick to celebrate offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett after their win over the Broncos on Sunday.
Last year, Hackett was fired by the Broncos after a dreadful first season as head coach. In the offseason, Hackett joined the Jets as an offensive coordinator but still, some criticism from his old job followed him.
Sean Payton, who took over the top job for the Broncos, was critical of Hackett, leading to some tension between the two teams through the offseason and heading into Sunday's matchup in Denver.
After a 31–21 win, it was Hackett and the Jets that got the last laugh.
As the final seconds of the game ticked away, players and coaches alike huddled towards Hackett to congratulate him on the win over his old team.
Jets players and staffers, lining up to dap up Nathaniel Hackett for beating the Broncos and the head coach who trashed him this offseason pic.twitter.com/DquVsTUOqc
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) October 8, 2023
Hackett daps for beating Sean Payton, part II pic.twitter.com/rdn3pcUK20
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) October 8, 2023
The party didn't stop there.
After the game, Jets head coach Robert Saleh said that Hackett was given the game ball.
How sweet is this?
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 9, 2023
After practice on Fridays, the #Jets always announce their fourth captain. This week, it was OC Nathaniel Hackett. When Coach Robert Saleh called it out, players went crazy.
And today, after beating his old team the #Broncos, Hackett got the game ball. 🏈 pic.twitter.com/JEQBB50V8e
"We wanted to come in and get a win today for him and we did that. The better coach, the better team won."
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) October 9, 2023
- Breece Hall on getting the win for Nathaniel Hackett pic.twitter.com/w22dHc5l1t
Aaron Rodgers, who played with Hackett for both the Packers and the Jets before his injury earlier in the season, also reached out over social media to support his coach.
