Lost in the hoopla of the Denver Broncos’ offseason, which is stamped with the mark of the acquisition of Russell Wilson, is the fact the team is still playing for a first-time, first-year head coach in Nathaniel Hackett.
One football pundit writes “there’s another reality where the entire thing flies off the rails.” That’s fair.
But according to Courtland Sutton, newly-hired coach Hackett is keeping things spicy! In practice, Sutton says, Hackett brings passion and is very involved.
“I think one of my biggest things is to watch Coach Hackett go play linebacker when we’re doing our little installs because he’s all into playing his little linebacker position,” Sutton said last week. “Just seeing him as involved as he is — not just with the offense, but also the entire team — I think everyone feels his entire love for this game, love for the team that he has and the opportunity he’s been given to be the head coach of the Denver Broncos.
“I don’t see him taking this for granted. You can just tell by just talking to him. I’m sure you guys have seen it. He truly enjoys being able to come up here and do what he does. It bleeds all the way down from him to the coaches to the players. You love to see it.”
The last time a first-year Broncos HC went to the playoffs, though, was in 2015 when Gary Kubiak led the team to a Super Bowl. Then, there’s 2011 under John Fox and the Tim Tebow-led Broncos. Never forget: Demaryius Thomas calling game with an 80-yard touchdown reception to walk off the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yinz can never forget it.
In 2021, though, the Wilson-led Broncos look to top Tebow’s 2011 team’s success with at least a respectable Division Round performance. Perhaps via a first-round bye. An AFC Championship appearance wouldn’t hurt the feelings of Broncos Country, either. Just sayin’.
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