Hackett sees himself as a ‘senior consultant’ for Denver’s offense right now
Dec 21, 2022, 1:32 PM
It’s been a month since Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett turned over play-calling duties to Klint Kubiak.
Denver’s gone 1-4 since the change was made, but the offense has shown promise the last two weeks against the Chiefs and Cardinals. Denver’s 28 points against Kansas City and 24 points versus Arizona are their two highest outputs of the year.
Still, with Hackett no longer calling plays, or managing the clock since that fell on Jerry Rosburg after Week 2, some are wondering how the coach is adjusting to his role. It’s less of a ‘hands on’ approach during the games, so it’s a change. Hackett was asked on Wednesday how he likes it, now that the Broncos have several weeks under their belt operating in this manner.
“It’s been great. I think for the whole group. It’s allowed me to look at more things, serve more as a consultant, kind of like a senior consultant for the offense. In all the different situations and how we game-plan. It allows me to kind of spread around and see more things,” Hackett said.
On one hand, it’s great Hackett is freed up to do more every Sunday. On another, the old ‘Office Space’ line applies to Hackett of ‘what would you say you do here?’ For now, Hackett is comfortable with the new system and the results that it’s produced. He heaped praise on his coaches in a lengthy answer.
“It’s not just Klint. (Offensive coordinator) Justin Outten has been absolutely phenomenal building the run plan with (offensive line coach) Butch (Barry) and working with Klint in the pass game. I’ve been kind of overseeing the whole thing, so I think we’re starting to get in a rhythm. When you have those Sunday games in a row, just as a group, we’re all being able to work together and be efficient. And get these guys to be able to make some plays,” Hackett said.
After a quirky schedule to start the year, the Broncos are playing nine straight Sundays to finish the season. This weekend in Los Angeles, on Christmas Day, will be the team’s seventh Sunday in a row. They’ll finish with a road game at Kansas City followed by a home game against the Chargers. That could get moved to Saturday, but the NFL hasn’t announced the schedule yet for Week 18.
Regardless, Denver’s offense has shown signs of life the last two games. Maybe this should’ve been the system from the start, but that didn’t happen.
And whether or not it continues to look good enough down the stretch to save Hackett’s job remains to be seen.
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