Hackett: No notion of making a QB change despite Wilson’s struggles

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. –– You have to scan pretty far down to see where Russell Wilson ranks in various league rankings of quarterbacks this season:

• ESPN QBR: 32.2, 33rd of 35 eligible QBs
• Passer rating: 82.3, 29th of 35 eligible QBs
• EPA/play: -0.006, 25th of 35 eligible QBs
• PFF passing grade: 63.4, 25th of 35 eligible QBs

Those are the type of numbers that — from previous Broncos quarterbacks — caused much of the Mountain Time Zone to clamor for someone new under center.

At many positions, such performance would lead to a lineup change. Even at quarterback, it would typically spur questions about a potential lineup change.

But on Wednesday, Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett shot down any notion that he would consider inserting a backup quarterback in place of Wilson, who is enduring the worst season of his 11-year career.

Hackett was asked about it by Darren McKee — co-host of “The Drive with Derek Wolfe and D-Mac.”

.@DMacRadio: “Coach, are there any scenarios where you’d make a change at quarterback if you thought it would give the team a better chance to win?”

Nathaniel Hackett: “Right now, no.” pic.twitter.com/mDITupm9tz

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 30, 2022

A moment later, Hackett praised Wilson’s work ethic — while reiterating a point he’s made before, that improvement must come as a team.

“When you look at a guy like Russ, I mean, he’s unbelievable,” Hackett said. “I’ve never seen somebody work that hard. I’ve never seen somebody try to embrace a team like he has while he’s here, just from everything that he does, from walk-throughs to helping, how he is in the community.

“Russ is awesome, and we just need to do better as a team. It’s that simple.”

The numbers aren’t “awesome,” no doubt. But it’s clear that the Broncos feel that improvement in Wilson’s numbers comes not just from the quarterback himself, but from the entire offense.

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