NFL news: Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has already tracked back for his unfiltered rant aimed at Nathaniel Hackett and the latter’s time as Denver’s main shot-caller. Payton also said that he intends to call Hackett, who now serves as the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets, to personally apologize to his colleague.
As it turns out, however, Nathaniel Hackett has not received a call from the Broncos coach.
NFL News: Nathaniel Hackett Believes Sean Payton Broke the Code
When asked to share his thoughts on Payton’s slanderous tirade that labeled Hackett’s tenure with the Broncos last season as “one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL,” the latter got brutally honest in his response:
“Obviously, [the] last week has been a very unique week for this organization,” Hackett said (h/t Rich Cimini of ESPN). “I’ve been involved in this business my whole life — 43 years. As a coach, as a coach’s kid, we live in a glass house. We know that. We all live in different rooms, we all have a key for it. It’s one of those things, there’s a code, there’s a way things are done in that house.
“This past week, it’s frustrating and it sucks, but we’re all susceptible to it — the things you do, the mistakes you make. It costs you time on the field, it costs you your job … all those things. And I own all that stuff. That’s a fact. I’ve got no excuses.”
Hackett did not even mention Payton by name here. However, when asked if he believes Payton broke this code he was referring to, Hackett responded affirmatively: “I do. I do,” he said.
Nevertheless, Nathaniel Hackett has taken the high road here. He had a chance to clap back at Hackett with his own set of jabs, but instead, the Jets OC opted not to engage.
NFL News: Nathaniel Hackett Talks Up Jets vs. Broncos Week 5 Matchup
What Hackett did imply, though, is that he seems to be looking forward to facing off against Hackett and the Broncos when the Jets travel to Denver in Week 5:
“It’s unfortunate that it had to happen, the comments that were made, but, hey, they did,” Hackett said. “I’ll tell you, I was probably more surprised that it happened now. [I] was definitely expecting them in Week 5 [when the two teams play each other]. So, I’m almost thankful that we got that out of the way. We all understand the way certain people feel and think.”
Hackett added that the Jets’ Week 5 matchup against the Broncos is going to be “just another game.” Most fans, I believe, would beg to disagree.
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