Jaguars dodged a bullet during HC search with Nathaniel Hackett

After the Urban Meyer debacle, the Jacksonville Jaguars couldn’t get their search for a new head coach. Following a lengthy process, they gave the job to Doug Pederson. While there were many worthy candidates for the position, it seems like the Jags got it right with Pederson. Moreover, they might’ve dodged a bullet when they passed on Nathaniel Hackett, who went to fill the Denver Broncos’ vacancy.

The Broncos are currently 3-7 and have lost six of their seven last games in Hackett’s first year at the helm. Moreover, they rank dead last in points scored ahead of Week 12, which is concerning when you take into account that offense is Hackett’s bread and butter. Sure, Russell Wilson has vastly underperformed but Denvers’ defense is among the best in the league and should take some pressure off the offense. Yet, they’re averaging a measly 14.7 points per game and that falls on Hackett’s shoulders.

Wilson has dealt with injuries throughout his short stint in Denver but Hackett’s inability to work around his quarterback’s shortcomings is alarming. The fact that they’ve been swept by a subpar Las Vegas Raiders team this season isn’t helping matters. Benjamin Allbright, who covers the Broncos for KOA, says Hackett is unlikely to return next year.

The Jaguars chose Doug Pederson over Nathaniel Hackett

Hackett’s success as the Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator and Aaron Rodgers’ endorsement made him a hot candidate in the most recent hiring cycle. Besides the Broncos and the Jaguars, he also interviewed with the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings. However, things haven’t worked out the way Denver probably expected.

On the other hand, the Jaguars should be pleased with the job Pederson has done. Their 3-7 record is nothing to be proud of but he’s helped Trevor Lawrence make strides in Year 2 and has worked to change the culture in the building. While it’s hard to tell if he’s going to fully turn things around, the Jags have taken steps in the right direction under his watch and should make a significant leap next year.

There is no joy in watching a head coach or a player fail to live up to expectations but in a league in which winning is the ultimate goal, Hackett has done a poor job and the Jaguars must feel good about going with Pederson and not his Broncos counterpart.