Broncos should have fired Nathaniel Hackett earlier

Oct 30, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett reacts in the fourth quarter of an NFL International Series game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Jaguars 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett reacts in the fourth quarter of an NFL International Series game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Jaguars 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

In the first game after firing Nathaniel Hackett, the Denver Broncos looked like a team that knew what they were doing, which was not the case before.  In week 17, interim head coach Jerry Rosburg’s first game as a HC in the NFL, the Broncos looked like a legitimate NFL team and not some undisciplined laughing stock.

The defense, missing a good bit of players, kept the offense in the game and forced turnovers.  The offense was also able to move the ball relatively well.  They had their normal hiccups here and there, but they still managed to put up 24 points and got their playmakers the ball.

They also kept it mostly clean in the penalty department and did not seem to commit some of those errors that make them and us fans shake our heads in disgust.  Jerry Rosburg had the Broncos ready to go, without a doubt.

It does make you wonder how much more different it could have been if the team had fired Nathaniel Hackett sooner.  I’m not at all saying that the team would be fighting for a playoff spot, but I am saying that perhaps the team would have been more competitive and could have notched another win or two.

I think after just one game at the helm, most of us would have rather had Rosburg lead the team during the second half of the season than have Hackett continue leading the team like he did until his firing.

Denver has just one game left on the season, and Rosburg likely won’t get the head coaching job in 2023 anyway.  It is a bit frustrating that we won’t be able to see Rosburg as the acting head coach after week 18.  He’s proven very quickly the kind of man and coach he is and makes it abundantly clear that the Broncos should have fired Nathaniel Hackett sooner.

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