George Paton holds press conference in London, defends Nathaniel Hackett

We had a rare chance to hear from Broncos GM George Paton on Thursday in London.

Speaking during Denver’s afternoon practice across the pond, Paton was asked about a variety of topics. But the biggest one on everyone’s mind is, of course, what he thinks of head coach Nathaniel Hackett.

At just 2-5, Hackett’s underachieving Broncos have been the talk of the NFL. For now, Paton is defending him.

Paton on Hackett II: "But I really like how he’s kept the team together. They’re connected. He’s kept our building together. I appreciate how he came through that.” #9sports

— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) October 27, 2022

Well, George, the scrutiny might be unprecedented because the product has been unprecedentedly bad. Hackett’s offense is dead last in the NFL in total points and points per game. The Broncos have scored one or zero touchdowns in six of their seven contests. Fans have booed them multiple times in Denver. They’ve been the laughingstock of the NFL, on several national shows, after each primetime debacle.

So, for now, Paton has his head coach’s back. Then again, he has to, because he’s the one who hired him. It’s part of three decisions from Denver’s GM over the last 10 months that have been questionable at best, and a disaster at worst. Hiring Hackett being the first, trading a haul of draft picks and players for Russell Wilson the second and extending Wilson with a massive contract extension before he played a down of football the third.

We’ll see if Paton and new CEO Greg Penner are still supporting Hackett on Sunday should he lose to the Jaguars. That would put Denver at 2-6 on the season and riding a five game losing streak. Maybe Paton himself would also be feeling some more heat, considering he put almost all of this together.

It’s strange times in Broncos Country. Strange times, indeed.

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