BRONCOS

Nathaniel Hackett failed Russell Wilson in the Broncos opening fiasco

Sep 16, 2022, 6:25 AM

We just can’t get over it. Five days later, it still doesn’t make sense. Monday night, for whatever reason, Nathaniel Hackett threw logic out the window and had Brandon McManus attempt a 64-yard field goal rather than have Russell Wilson attempt to convert 4th-and-5.

Hackett’s blunder was more than a bad decision, it created a lot of outside noise around the Broncos. Literally nobody has agreed with Hackett’s play call to kick the field goal.

The worst part is, Hackett let down Russell Wilson. Wilson played the best game for a Broncos quarterback since 2014. Wilson had a very solid stat line with 340 yards, 69 percent completion percentage, one touchdown and no interceptions. Beyond the stats, the visual of Wilson was even better.

It wasn’t perfect at times, but overall, Wilson looked like everything Broncos Country had hoped for. He was in command of the field. The quarterback was able to unlock the cheat code that is Jerry Jeudy. With Wilson under center, the Broncos were regularly in scoring position.

We should be talking about Wilson’s big debut in Denver. Instead, we’re talking about the most head-scratching moment in Broncos history.

Despite squandering three red-zone opportunities, the Broncos found themselves with a very realistic chance of winning the game. Facing 4th-and-5 at midfield, with multiple timeouts and one-minute left, Broncos Country was ready to watch Wilson work his magic.

Then, it happened. Wilson came off the field.

In the 2012 playoffs, at home against the Ravens, with the game on the line, John Fox decided to run the ball on 3rd-and-7 rather than have Peyton Manning attempt a pass. The running play failed, and the Broncos punted. The Ravens tied the game on the Mile High Miracle. Following the Ravens touchdown, Fox opted to kneel on the ball and send the game to overtime, even though the Broncos had two timeouts, 30 seconds and Manning. Fox’s conservative approach backfired, and the Broncos lost in double overtime.

In the 1997 AFC Championship Game, on 3rd-and-6, with the opportunity to seal the victory and go to the Super Bowl, head coach Mike Shanahan had John Elway throw the ball to Shannon Sharpe. Even though Terrell Davis was the best player on the team, Shanahan turned to his franchise quarterback on the most important play of the game. The Broncos converted and were on their way to the Super Bowl.

When a coach has a Hall of Fame quarterback, they should always go to that quarterback in the big moments.

A franchise quarterback can help your team overcome two fumbles at the goal line. What a franchise quarterback can’t overcome is his coach taking him off the field and taking the ball out of his hands.

Converting 4th-and-5 was manageable with Wilson. In Week 1, on national television, Wilson was going to show the Seahawks why they should have never traded him.

Hackett robbed Wilson of his moment.

Hackett failed his star quarterback. It’s not all about Wilson; there are 52 other guys on game day. But on Monday, in Seattle, it was about Russell Wilson. Pete Carroll has been doing victory laps and talking trash since Monday and Wilson must sit and take it knowing he didn’t get a chance to throw a counter punch.

To be successful in Denver, Russell Wilson doesn’t need Nathaniel Hackett. On the flip side, to be successful in Denver, Nathaniel Hackett needs Russell Wilson. When the game is on the line, and Wilson has been playing great, hopefully Hackett will take the easy route and let his franchise quarterback win the game.

***

Broncos

Drake Maye Broncos QB...

Andrew Mason

Broncos have George Paton, QB coach at Drake Maye Pro Day

QB prospect Drake Maye had his Pro Day workout on March 28, and Broncos GM George Paton was among those on hand.

19 hours ago

Jayden Daniels...

Cecil Lammey

How much interest do the Broncos have in LSU QB Jayden Daniels?

The Denver Broncos have interest in LSU QB Jayden Daniels, but how realistic is getting him in the 2024 NFL Draft? Watch Orange and Blue Today with Cecil Lammey and Andrew Mason! Follow @CecilLammey

2 days ago

Drake Maye Broncos QB...

Will Petersen

Report: Broncos attending two more QB Pro Days on Thursday

Mike Klis says the Broncos will have representatives at the Pro Days of former UNC QB Drake Maye and Washington QB Michael Penix Jr

2 days ago

Josh Reynolds...

Jake Shapiro

Broncos make significant free agent splash at WR, leaving questions

The Denver Broncos are adding a proven weapon to Sean Payton's offense, signing former Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds

2 days ago

J.J. McCarthy Broncos mock draft...

Will Petersen

ESPN’s latest mock draft has Broncos trading to No. 4 overall

Broncos head coach Sean Payton said it's realistic for Denver to move up; Matt Miller is projecting that as reality in his new mock draft

2 days ago

Jayden Daniels...

Andrew Mason

Broncos visiting with LSU QB Jayden Daniels after his Pro Day

Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels will meet with six teams at his Pro Day on Wednesday, including the Denver Broncos.

2 days ago

Nathaniel Hackett failed Russell Wilson in the Broncos opening fiasco