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Denver Broncos winners and losers from Hackett hire

By Lou Scataglia

Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) before the game against the Washington Football Team at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) before the game against the Washington Football Team at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 3: Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos runs the offense against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on October 3, 2021, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 3: Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos runs the offense against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on October 3, 2021, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

With the Denver Broncos hiring Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, which players benefit the most, and which players don’t at all?

On Thursday, the Denver Broncos hired Nathaniel Hackett to be the team’s next head coach, replacing Vic Fangio.

Broncos Country seems to be pleased with the hire, as the team brings in a young, vibrant, offensive guy to lead the show.

Hackett has tangible success as a play-caller with Jacksonville and had a big influence on the Green Bay Packers’ offensive success the past two seasons.

Obviously, one of the biggest potential draws in hiring Hackett is his connection with Aaron Rodgers.

However, Rodgers isn’t a Bronco and may never be, so I want to take a look at a few players who benefit the most from this hire, and players who might not benefit at all.

With the Broncos set to have nearly $50 million in cap space, they are poised to make several free agency additions, along with retaining some of their own free agents.

However, not every Bronco free agent will return to the team, and Denver will surely make an addition or two from other teams.

The hiring of Nathaniel Hackett gives us as content creators and analysts some direction as to which players we think will benefit the most, and which players might be impacted the most because of this hire.

Winners and losers of Nathaniel Hackett hire

Winner: Drew Lock

Drew Lock is a giant winner from this hire. Nathaniel Hackett has had some success with young quarterbacks, as he coordinated the Jacksonville Jaguars 2017 offense, where the team was fifth in scoring led by a young Blake Bortles, who enjoyed perhaps his best season as a pro.  (This isn’t saying much, but it’s notable how good the offense was with Blake Bortles under center).

Bortles was 25 in the 2017 season, entering his fourth season.

As it stands now, Drew Lock is 25 and entering his 4th season.  Even if Drew Lock does not start, it will be great for his own development that he gets to learn an offensive scheme directly from Hackett, who is widely respected for his work in Green Bay.

One of the drawbacks of hiring a defensive coach is that their offensive coordinator could get poached for a head coaching job.  This was one of the reasons why some people did not want Dan Quinn to be the hire.

With Hackett being the hire, and on a 4-year deal, this allows Hackett and the rest of the offensive players to grow within his system.

This is especially good for any young quarterback the team may bring in, but since Drew Lock is still under contract, this hire is a huge help, as Hackett seems to be a much safer and more competent offensive mind than Pat Shurmur.

This is doubly true if Aaron Rodgers lands in Denver because Lock is likely the backup in this situation.

Drew Lock just got a super early (or late) Christmas gift in Nathaniel Hackett, and it’ll be exciting to see if anything comes of it.

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