Funviralpark “Following an extensive conversation with [General Manager George Paton] Franchise CEO Greg Penner said: in a statement“This change was made out of respect for all involved and allows us to begin looking for a new head coach immediately.”
Assistant Jerry Rosberg will serve as interim coach for the Broncos. the team announcedDefensive coordinator Ejiro Evero turned down the assignment because he wanted to continue to focus on defense, according to a person familiar with the situation.
“We recognize and appreciate the championship history of this organization, and we understand that it does not live up to its standards,” Penner said. “Our fans deserve better and we cannot say enough about their loyalty during these difficult times for our team. , making the necessary changes to restore the winning tradition of this franchise.”
Hackett is the third NFL head coach to be fired this season, after Matt Rule of the Carolina Panthers in October and Frank Reich of the Indianapolis Colts last month.
The Broncos rank last in the NFL for offensive scoring, averaging just 15.5 points. They hired Hackett, who was completing his stint as offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, for his offensive acumen.
In March, they traded Wilson, who was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and won the Super Bowl in 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Signing an extension and believing he was ready to return to the NFL’s upper echelon contender, Wilson, 34, had 12 touchdown passes, nine interceptions and a modest passer rating of 82.6. record and has the worst season of his career.
The Broncos are bound to Wilson by Wilson’s contract. That was not the case with Hackett. So the choice was relatively clear for Walmart heiress owner Rob Walton, who bought the franchise from the Pat Bowlen Trust over the summer for his NFL-record $4.65 billion, was his investment partner. They took control in August when fellow NFL team owners ratified the deal.
The confusion started in the first game for Hackett. He picked his try on his 64-yard field goal, but in the final seconds of his 17–16 loss at Seattle, he left the offense on the field to score his fourth-and-five attempts. .
October saw Denver’s disgruntled fans leave the stadium in significant numbers at the start of overtime in a 12–9 loss to the Colts.
Hackett has attempted to address this issue. He added Rosberg to his coaching staff early in the season to help with game management decisions. He then handed over play-calling duties to quarterback coach Clint Kubiak. Nothing seemed to help and emotions began to boil. Sunday’s lopsided loss to the Rams saw backup quarterback Brett Ripien exchange words with guard Dalton Ripien on the sideline after the play Wilson was sacked, with Ripien reacting by pushing Ripien.
On Monday, the NFL suspended Broncos pass rusher Randy Gregory and Rams offensive lineman Oday Abousi for one game each for a postgame skirmish on the field on Sunday.
Hackett was not reached for comment on Monday.
“Everyone is frustrated,” he said after Sunday’s loss. I know everyone is frustrated…we can’t show our frustration, we need to vent our frustration in the field the right way.”
