Nathaniel Hackett is set to become next Broncos head coach. Here’s an initial to-do list after he arrives in Dove Valley – The Denver Post
The Broncos are expected to make the hiring of coach Nathaniel Hackett official Thursday. He emerged from a 10-man candidate pool and was the only one to receive a second interview.
Armed with a four-year contract, Hackett will have a long to-do list over the next few months. Here’s a list of his top objectives:
1. Quarterback plan (duh)
The Broncos have had five different Week 1 starting quarterbacks in as many years. They are expected to extend that streak to six. Teddy Bridgewater, 7-7 as the starter in 2021, is a free agent, and Drew Lock, 0-3 as the starter in relief of Bridgewater to finish the season, has one season remaining on his contract. The obvious solution is Aaron Rodgers, who worked with Hackett the past three years in Green Bay. The Broncos have the cap space (more than $40 million), the draft picks (five in rounds 1-3) and available talent (fill-in-the-blank skill-position players) to make a deal for Rodgers. That should be Plan A. The second layer, if Rodgers or Russell Wilson doesn’t work out, is grinding away on the video to evaluate this year’s class of draft-eligible quarterbacks.
2. Build a coaching staff
This will be the most immediate objective. The assumption is Hackett will call the Broncos’ offensive plays, the first head coach to carry that duty offensively since Gary Kubiak in 2016. There are quality assistants on the staff that Hackett should consider retaining such as running backs coach Curtis Modkins, receivers coach Zach Azzanni, offensive line coach Mike Munchak and defensive backs coach Christian Parker. It is likely he will hire new offensive, defensive and special teams coordinators. In 2019, coach Vic Fangio retained nine coaches (position coaches or assistant position coaches).
3. Evaluate existing roster
General manager George Paton has final say on roster moves, but the collaboration with Hackett will help define what the roster will look like. Was this a team whose 7-10 record was worse than the sum of its parts? That will up to Paton/Hackett to determine and then act accordingly. First up for Hackett, who last faced the Broncos in September 2019, is getting a feel for who is under contract. The Broncos currently have six players with salary cap numbers of at least $10 million in 2022. They feel they have veteran building blocks in place with safety Justin Simmons, receivers Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick and a bunch of players on rookie deals, led by cornerback Pat Surtain II, running back Javonte Williams, right guard Quinn Meinerz and defensive end Dre’Mont Jones. The offensive line is an issue. Outside of Meinerz, who got better up front this past year? The in-house free agents are led by running back Melvin Gordon and inside linebackers Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell.
4. Free-agent strategy
If the Broncos make a big play for Rodgers or Wilson, it will sap much of their cap space. If they don’t, Paton and Hackett will have plenty of money to add to the roster. Does Hackett and the to-be-determined defensive coordinator like Baron Browning enough to re-sign Johnson or Jewell, but not both? Do they feel Caden Sterns is ready to take over for Kareem Jackson at safety? Do they feel nickel back Bryce Callahan can stay healthy for a full season (he hasn’t in his three years for the Broncos). Adding talent to this roster is critical. The Broncos’ 2021 free-agent class was underwhelming. Cornerback Ronald Darby didn’t have an interception, running back Mike Boone couldn’t stay healthy and cornerback Kyle Fuller was benched after five games (only to play down the stretch because other players were injured.)
5. Draft
The Broncos currently have one pick in the first round and two apiece in the second and third rounds. That is prime territory to select immediate starters/contributors. With their four picks in rounds 1-3 last spring, the Broncos added Surtain, Williams, Meinerz and Browning. All but Williams was a rookie starter and he probably had the biggest impact of all. After quarterback, the next priorities should be right tackle, cornerback (preferably one who can play the nickel) and defensive line depth.
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