Nathaniel Hackett was doomed from the start thanks to Aaron Rodgers

The Denver Broncos brought in Nathaniel Hackett in hopes it would lead to a packaged deal with Aaron Rodgers. That didn’t happen.

Aaron Rodgers had nothing but good things to say about his time with Nathaniel Hackett before the start of the regular season. This offseason, Rodgers was reportedly available for trade, but at an immense price tag.

So, the Broncos hired Hackett, who was an established head coaching candidate. Dan Quinn, who is expected to be a candidate this time around, was in the running as well.

Hackett won out in part due to the kind words from Rodgers, and his connection to the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback. Perhaps, the Broncos thought, by hiring Hackett they had a better chance at landing Rodgers.

Denver Broncos lost out on Aaron Rodgers, and more

As we all know, Aaron Rodgers stayed with the Green Bay Packers, despite comments like the following:

“’Hack’ has been a really important part of our culture change,” Rodgers said at the time. “And a part of our success on offense. I love him. I hope he doesn’t go anywhere… Unless I do.”

If that’s not leading the Broncos on, nothing is.

Instead of trading for Rodgers, Denver GM George Paton instead acquired Russell Wilson, previously of the Seattle Seahawks, for five draft picks and three players. It could go down as one of the worst trades of all time should Wilson not improve from his 2022 form.

Upon his arrival in Denver, the Broncos prepared the same red carpet they had rolled out for Rodgers — front office control, his own office and an offense tailored to his needs. All of it. And it backfired miserably.

“The starting point is we want to be sure that we’re doing what’s right for this team and what’s right for Russ,” Hackett said during Wilson’s press conference.

Hackett even allowed Wilson’s personal coaches into the building, and allowed them to collaborate in game prep. It was unheard of, and led to far too many voices in the room.

Trading for Rodgers could’ve avoided all of this. Instead, the Broncos have a disaster to deal with.