Tag: Denver Broncos

Broncos finalizing deal with Nathaniel Hackett as head coach

The Broncos have found their next head coach as they are closing in a deal with Green Bay OC Nathaniel Hackett

The Denver Broncos are reaching into the Green Bay Packers coaching staff for their next head coach.

Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported Thursday the AFC West team is finalizing a deal with Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to replace Vic Fangio, who was fired after three seasons.

The Aaron Rodgers-to-Denver rumors may commence at warp speeed.

Denver made its decision when Jacksonville planned to interview Hackett.

Per NFL.com:

The 42-year-old has spent the past three seasons as the Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator, helping Aaron Rodgers win what is expected to be back-to-back MVPs.

The Packers have the second-most offensive TDs (160) and the fewest giveaways (37) in the NFL since Hackett became the OC in 2019.

Green Bay hopes to fill its now vacant OC role from within, with quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy the prime candidate to take over.

Hackett is the son of former NFL and college coach Paul Hackett. Paul Hackett was a coordinator in the NFL with multiple NFL teams and head coach of Pitt and USC.

Broncos finalizing deal to hire Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett as new head coach

The Denver Broncos are finalizing a deal to hire Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as the team’s new head coach, per NFL Network.

The Green Bay Packers are set to lose an important member of Matt LaFleur’s offensive coaching staff, and now a piece of the Aaron Rodgers puzzle could be falling into place.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Denver Broncos are finalizing a deal to hire Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as the team’s new head coach.

Hackett, 42, has been LaFleur’s offensive coordinator since 2019. He joined the NFL coaching ranks under Jon Gruden in 2006 and has worked his way up the ladder, eventually landing jobs as the offensive coordinator in Buffalo (2013-14) and Jacksonville (2016-18) before joining the Packers on LaFleur’s first staff in Green Bay.

With his extensive football knowledge and positive, energetic personality, Hackett is well-respected in the Packers locker room, and Rodgers – who is making a decision on his football future – is a fan.

Rodgers will eventually make a choice between retiring from football, returning to Green Bay or getting a fresh start elsewhere in the NFL, potentially with Hackett in Denver.

If Rodgers requests a trade, sending him to an AFC team is the best option for the Packers. And the Broncos have the assets, both in draft capital and players, to make a deal work.

In Green Bay, LaFleur and the Packers will have to find a replacement at offensive coordinator. LaFleur has already confirmed he would look to promote internally to fill the role if Hackett got a job. Quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy and offensive line coach Adam Stenavich would be the top candidates. Getsy has interviewed for head coaching and coordinator jobs during this cycle and would be a logical in-house replacement.

Hackett also interviewed for the head coaching jobs in Jacksonville, Minnesota and Chicago.

Dolphins head coach candidate Dan Quinn named a finalist for two other teams

He may be leaning toward one of these options.

After the Miami Dolphins fired head coach Brian Flores on Black Monday, they began the search for the next leader of their locker room.

That list of names they wanted to interview had seven coaches on it, including Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Since then, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Quinn has been named a finalist for the open head coach positions with both the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos.

Miami has been rather quiet throughout the interview process, so it’s unclear exactly where Quinn fits into their plans, but it looks like he could land with either of these two other franchises.

It’s tough to say which job would be more enticing to Quinn because each has its own issues.

The Broncos may be the best option for Quinn. Denver had the best defense last year, statistically, and their offense seems to be just a quarterback away. If they can find a consistent signal-caller, they could easily sneak their way into contention in the AFC.

Chicago’s defense didn’t perform as well as they have in recent years, but their offense struggled even more. While Matt Nagy was flip-flopping between Andy Dalton and Justin Fields, nothing good was happening on that side of the ball.

Miami’s defense was great for a long stretch last season, but they also struggled early on in the season. Their offense also seems to be more than one piece away from taking the next step.

If Quinn does get offered and takes one of the other jobs, Miami’s options of reported interviewees would be down to six.

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Report: Cowboys’ Dan Quinn among 3 finalists to become Broncos’ new HC

Quinn is the only finalist who’s been a head coach before and the only defensive mind of the group. He’ll likely fly to Denver this week. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Dan Quinn has made the first cut in Denver. The Broncos have interviewed ten candidates to fill their head coaching vacancy since firing Vic Fangio, but the team has apparently narrowed it down to three prospects: the Dallas defensive coordinator and two offensive specialists.

Quinn was thought to be a front-runner from the beginning, given his previous history with Broncos general manager George Paton. Quinn’s first meeting with Denver representatives came at a Dallas-area restaurant on January 18; he’s now expected to travel to the team’s headquarters for an on-site second interview, according to Mike Klis of Denver’s 9News.

The other two finalists are Green Bay offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell.

Dallas offensive coordinator Kellen Moore also met with Denver’s search-committee on the same day as Quinn. Ed Werder says Moore “impressed” the Broncos reps, but not enough to stay in the running for the job.

Quinn is the only candidate of the remaining three with head coaching experience. Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network reports that Paton is “likely to advocate” for Quinn, and speculates that, if hired, Quinn is expected to try to bring Cowboys secondary coach Al Harris with him to the Mile High City.

The second interview between Quinn and the Broncos is thought to be on the docket for this week; Quinn was in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Monday interviewing with the New York Giants about their head coaching position after also speaking with Minnesota, Miami, and Chicago.

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Former Panthers S Tre Boston painfully recalls Von Miller’s strip-sack prowess

When Von Miller strip-sacked Tom Brady on Sunday, Tre Boston tweeted what every Panthers fan was probably thinking. Gee, thanks, Tre.

Carolina Panthers fans might’ve experienced a bit of bad déjà vu last week courtesy of Odell Beckham Jr. and the Los Angeles Rams. But that was mere peanuts compared to what happened with them today.

Early in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s NFC divisional-round clash between said Rams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, linebacker Von Miller shot off the edge to force a strip-sack of quarterback Tom Brady. So, uh, does this look familiar to any of you . . . ?

No? How about now . . . ?

(Sorry.)

Well, Miller’s repeat heroics didn’t get past former Panthers safety Tre Boston—who had a front-row seat to the MVP performance back in Super Bowl 50.

Gee, thanks for reminding everyone, Tre.

Boston and the rest of the Panthers saw their magical 2015 campaign, one where they nearly ran the regular-season table at 15-1, squashed by Miller and his two forced fumbles of quarterback Cam Newton. Denver topped Carolina on that dreary night, 24-10, in what would have been the franchise’s first claim to the Lombardi Trophy.

But, if it’s any comfort to Panthers fans who are now feeling down, Miller also helped squash Brady and Tampa Bay’s chances at a repeat title as Los Angeles escaped Raymond James Stadium with a 30-27 win.

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Seahawks request permission to interview Broncos defensive coordinator

According to a report by Jeremy Fowler at ESPN, the team has requested permission to interview Broncos defensive coordinator Ed Donatell.

The Seahawks are beginning their search to replace defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr., who was fired yesterday along with defensive passing game coordinator Andre Curtis. Internally, defensive line coach Clint Hurtt is reportedly among those in the running.

Seattle will also be looking at outside candidates, though. According to a report by Jeremy Fowler at ESPN, the team has requested permission to interview Broncos defensive coordinator Ed Donatell.

Donatell has been working under Vic Fangio for the last several years, both in Denver and Chicago. He has a lot of experience as a defensive backs coach, as well as with Pete Carroll – who was on the same staff on the Jets in the early 90s.

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2022 NFL draft: 4 teams who could trade with the Texans for No. 3 overall

The Houston Texans are willing to trade their No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Here are four teams who could be interested.

General manager Nick Caserio said the Houston Texans are open for business and will entertain offers for their No. 3 overall selection in the 2022 NFL draft.

Of course, Caserio being open for business is part of his overall strategy to keep an open mind throughout the draft process. The Texans aren’t just going to trade the No. 3 overall pick just to make a trade; it has to make sense for Houston, let alone their trade partner.

If the Texans were to trade No. 3 overall, here are four teams that might be interested.

The projections for what the teams would take are based on Luke Easterling’s most recent mock draft over at the Draft Wire. The point values for the picks are based on DraftTek.com.

Texans request permission to interview Eagles’ Jonathan Gannon for vacant head coaching job

#Texans request permission to interview #Eagles DC Jonathan #Gannon for vacant head coaching job

Jonathan Gannon is really heating up as a hot name, and the Eagles defensive coordinator now has his third request to interview for a team’s vacant head coaching position.

After the Broncos and Vikings requested permission, the Houston Texans have now requested an interview as well.

A rookie defensive coordinator, Gannon came over from the Colts with head coach Nick Sirianni, and he has familiarity with the Minnesota brass, as he spent four seasons with the Vikings as the team’s assistant defensive backs coach from 2014 through the 2017 season before joining the Colts staff as a defensive back coach in 2018.

Gannon got his coaching start as a student assistant and graduate assistant at Louisville under Bobby Petrino from 2003-2006, and he joined the famed coach in Atlanta, the beginning of his NFL experience.

Gannon’s defense in Philadelphia started off rocky and they were shredded by some of the NFL’s top passers. On the season, the Eagles defense was 11th in passing yards (3756), 20th in passing touchdowns allowed, 31st in sacks (29), and 9th in rushing yards allowed.

One of the youngest coordinators in the NFL, Gannon seems to be getting the benefit of the doubt from owners and general managers who could be blaming Philadelphia’s passive defensive approach on the personnel.

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Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon set to interview for Broncos vacant job on Wednesday

Fresh off the team’s #WildCard loss to the #Buccaneers, #Eagles DC Jonathan #Gannon will interview for the #Broncos vacant job head coaching job on Wednesday

Jonathan Gannon’s first season as defensive coordinator with the Eagles had a few hiccups, but his defense was solid and his coaching acumen has landed him two interviews this cycle.

Ian Rapoport is reporting that Gannon is set to interview for the Broncos head coaching vacancy on Wednesday.

A rookie defensive coordinator, Gannon came over from the Colts with head coach Nick Sirianni, and he has familiarity with Denver’s former staff, as he’s worked with Tom McMahon at Louisville, Pat Shurmur with the Rams and Vikings, and GM, George Paton.

Gannon got his coaching start as a student assistant and graduate assistant at Louisville under Bobby Petrino from 2003-2006, and he joined the famed coach in Atlanta, the beginning of his NFL experience.

Gannon’s defense in Philadelphia started off rocky and they were shredded by some of the NFL’s top passers. On the season, the Eagles defense was 11th in passing yards (3756), 20th in passing touchdowns allowed, 31st in sacks (29), and 9th in rushing yards allowed.

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Patriots’ Jerod Mayo set to interview with Broncos for head-coaching position

The Patriots’ de facto defensive coordinator is drawing heavy interest for head-coaching positions.

Jerod Mayo is an extremely popular candidate during an offseason that has eight vacant head-coaching positions in the NFL.

The New England Patriots de facto defensive coordinator is currently a “leading candidate” for the Houston Texans job. As of Monday following the 47-17 beatdown by the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs — Mayo is also set to interview with the Denver Broncos, per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

Mayo, 35, played in over 100 games for the Patriots and following his retirement, he became an assistant coach in 2019. He’s technically been the inside linebackers coach, but he’s helped Bill Belichick and Steve Belichick call defensive plays over the past two seasons.

On Monday, Belichick discussed the fact that Patriots staff will be targeted for new opportunities and positions.

“I don’t think it’s really my place to comment on other team’s jobs, or who they are looking for, or what they are doing or whatever. I’ll leave that to them,” he said, via WEEI. “Whatever it is, obviously we’ll comply with and however those situations turn out, again, that’s generally speaking, out of our control. We’ll see what happens. If something happens then we’ll adjust to it and react to it.

“We have a lot of good coaches. It’s not surprising that other teams would be interested in talking to them, or other staff members — the same thing with the scouting staff. We basically have that every single year. How that goes and what will happen, again, I don’t know. That’s not my decision to make. Certainly, if there’s an opportunity for somebody that’s at a high level that we can’t provide here, I understand they would have to consider that. We’ll see what happens on that.”

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