ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos have fired coach Nathaniel Hackett after 15 games. Hackett never was able to get quarterback Russell Wilson out of a season-long slump. The Broncos are 4-11 and have posted their sixth straight losing season and are missing the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season. Hackett replaced Vic Fangio last January but the Broncos got worse in almost every category under the first-time head coach.
Denver parted ways with the 43-year-old two games before the end of his first season with the team. He had led the Broncos to just a 4-11 record despite the team being seen as a potential contender entering 2022.
An interim head coach has not yet been announced.
Broncos owner and CEO Greg Penner released a statement after the firing.
"I will lead our head coaching search with support from out ownership group and George (Paton), whom I have confidence in as our general manager," Penner wrote. "As we begin the process of selecting our next head coach, we remain focused on playing competitive football to finish the season on a positive note."
Under Hackett, the Broncos offense averaged the fewest points per game (15.5) this season and were already eliminated from postseason contention by Week 15.
The poor play began in Week 1 when Wilson made his return to Seattle. The Seahawks won 17-16 in a win that was seen then as an upset. But after how both teams have played since then, Seattle's close win seems to be expected in hindsight.