Broncos Pull Plug On Nathaniel Hackett After Another Disappointing NFL Season

The NFL season is still not technically over for the Denver Broncos, but the team decided not to wait with the fate already in front of them.

With the Broncos under new management and bent on making the NFL team contenders once again, the need to find a head coach who can provide the right offensive matrix is a need.

Rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett tried to do that but apparently failed.

After a 4-11 start, the 43-year-old was fired on Monday, December 26.

The decision was made even though the Broncos still had two games left in the current NFL season.

The decision was announced by Broncos team owner and CEO Greg Penner via Twitter.

Penner plans to personally lead the search for a new head coach with the assistance of general manager George Paton.

"Following extensive conversations with George and our ownership group, we determined a new direction would ultimately be in the best interest of the Broncos. This change was made now out of respect for everyone involved and allows us to immediately begin the search for a new head coach," Penner said in a statement on Monday.

This came after the Broncos' embarrassing loss to the Los Angeles Rams, 51-14, on Sunday, December 25.

Russell Wilson threw three interceptions and was sacked six times in that game.

Moreover, the game saw a spat between backup play-caller Brett Rypien and guard Dalton Risner.

Moreover, pass rusher Randy Gregory threw a punch at a Rams player after the game.

Hackett was hired back in January with hopes of turning the team's fortunes around.

Tied to that, there was that lingering hope of the Broncos possibly landing Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers.

That never happened with Rodgers deciding to stick with the Packers. Instead, the Broncos traded for Wilson with hopes that Hackett could put him to good use.

Unfortunately, the 34-year-old did not have the NFL season that pundits were expecting.

He has 12 touchdown passes with nine interceptions and 49 sacks in 13 starts, but he has been unable to snap out of a season-long funk.

There are big decisions to make moving forward for the Broncos, who have missed the playoffs for seven-straight seasons.

With Hackett out, senior assistant coach Jerry Rosburg will serve as interim coach for the Broncos.

Denver tries to break a 14-game losing streak when they face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, January 1.