Denver Broncos Coach Laments Field Goal Decision Against Seattle Seahawks

Being a rookie head coach in the NFL comes with a ton of pressure to make the right calls as early as the first game and the Denver Broncos' Nathaniel Hackett already has his regrets.

"Looking back at it, we definitely should've gone for it," Hackett told reporters via ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.

The Broncos were certainly not welcomed with open arms by the Seattle Seahawks, and its fans as they had former franchise quarterback Russell Wilson on the squad.

Hackett's inexperience in the role did show late in the game when he opted not to use any of his three available timeouts in the final minute, which eventually saw them in a fourth-and-five situation from the Seahawks' 46-yard line.

With 20 seconds remaining on the clock and two timeouts still under his belt, the greenhorn head coach opted to bring out Brian McManus and the kicking team to attempt a 64-yard field goal.

The attempt sailed wide to the left and the Seahawks ran out the clock soon after.

It was a disappointing homecoming return for Wilson as he was out to prove that he can lead this team to something special this season, and fans were placing the blame squarely on Hackett for putting them in such a position.

Denver supporters argued on social media that Hackett could have shown more faith in their new quarterback by having him take a stab at moving the chains at fourth-and-five instead of going for the Hail Mary kick.

Despite this, Wilson stood by both his coach and McManus in the postgame press conference.

"I think he has the leg for it for sure. Just went a little left I believe," Wilson noted referring to McManus.

"I believe in coach Hackett, I believe in what we're doing ... believe in everything. Anytime you can try to find a way to make a play on fourth-and-5 that's great too but also I don't think it was the wrong decision."

Wilson kept up his positive demeanor regardless of the boos that rained down on him throughout Lumen Field, saying that his return was still special since he met up with his former squad albeit in different circumstances.

Hackett owning up to his mistake is a great sign for Broncos fans as a head coach admitting to his accountability in such a situation is highly commendable and shows his commitment to keeping getting better at his job.

The former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator gets his chance at rectifying his mistake when they welcome the Houston Texans to Empower Field in Week 2 on Sunday, September 18.