Denver Broncos Head Coach Fired After Embarrassing Loss on Christmas Day

ENGLEWOOD, CO — The Denver Broncos fired first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett on Monday, Dec. 26, following a 4-11 start to the 2022 season. The straw that broke the camel's back was a 51-14 thrashing by the Los Angeles Rams on Christmas Day. 

Although the Broncos boasted one of the best defense's in the NFL, their lackluster offense under new QB Russel Wilson, acquired from Seattle, continued to struggle. New owners, the Walton-Penner Group, felt that now was the time to make a change.

Greg Penner, one of the Walton-Penner group alongside Walmart heir Rob Walton and Carrie Walton Penner, made a statement to the media following the decision.

"Following extensive conversations with (GM) George (Paton) and our ownership group, we determined a new direction would ultimately be in the best interest of the Broncos," Greg Penner said. "This change was made now out of respect for everyone involved and allows us to immediately begin the search for a new head coach.

"Moving forward, we will carefully evaluate every aspect of our football operations and make whatever changes are necessary to restore this franchise's winning tradition," Penner said. He added that Paton would assist in the coaching search. At this time, no interim coach was officially named or even specified.

Much of the Broncos' woes this season result from the acquisition of Russel Wilson, who  Denver acquired in a trade from Seattle back in March. The Broncos traded five picks, including two first-rounders, two second-rounders, and three of their players, to Seattle in exchange for Wilson. The Broncos then signed the Super Bowl-winning quarterback to a 5-year, $245 million contract before the start of the season.

In January, the Broncos hired Hackett, 42, as the 18th head coach in franchise history. Hackett served as the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers under Matt LaFleur for the past three seasons. With the addition of Hackett and Wilson, critics and fans saw Denver as a possible super bowl favorite. However, the excitement did not last, as Hackett was criticized for his decision-making as early as week one of the season.

Decision-making and game management plagued the Broncos as the season progressed. On top of that, Wilson struggled mightily in the new offense. His once MVP-caliber performances have been absent all year, and the team looks in disarray more often than not.

The Broncos' offense averaged 15.5 points per game under his watch; the franchise's lowest since 1971. The Broncos were also last in third-down conversation rate at 28.6% in the 15 games under Hackett.

On Sunday, Dec. 25, the epitome of the Broncos' entire season was on display against the 4-10 Rams. Wilson put up another poor performance, 15-27 214 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions, leaving the game out of reach. Fights among teammates broke out on the sidelines, and several players looked like they had had enough of the current status quo. The Broncos did not just get beat on Sunday. They were embarrassed. 

Hackett's tenure as Head Coach marks the shortest tenure by a noninterim head coach in franchise history.

The Denver Broncos (4-11) travel to Arrowhead Stadium on New Year's day to take on the AFC West leaders Kansas City Chiefs (12-3) at noon.