NFL insider of possibility of Nathaniel Hackett connecting with Aaron Rodgers in Denver

When the Denver Broncos hired Nathaniel Hackett as their next head coach, there was a lot to like about the move. Hackett is young, well-liked by players and has years of NFL experience as an assistant.

But perhaps the most interesting thing from the coach’s move to Denver is his connection to Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Hackett coached Rodgers the past three seasons as the offensive coordinator for Green Bay.

Rodgers is signed to the Packers through the 2022 season, but there have been rumors he could find a new team before next year. In an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, NFL reporter Tom Pelissero broke down what the hiring of Hackett means for the Broncos as it pertains to Aaron Rodgers.

“As the Broncos were going through this process, they knew they couldn’t hire a coach based solely on a contingency that may or may not happen,” Pelissero said. “Of course, last year Denver was the most linked spot to Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has at points told people Denver is a place he wanted to go. That was at a time you had Vic Fangio as head coach and Pat Shurmur was the offensive coordinator. Now you have Hackett there. He’s going to in all likelihood hire Packers assistant Adam Stenavich, who’s the offensive line coach and run game coordinator. There’s going to be familiarity there with the system. With the coaches. It would only heighten the possibility that Rodgers could land there.”

Rodgers staying with the Packers would require him to restructure his contract, taking a pay cut for next season. If he doesn’t, Green Bay would be forced to trade the star quarterback to a new team to stay under the salary cap.

Rodgers has not said one way or another which way he is leaning. Asked about his future with the team following this season’s playoff loss to San Francisco, the quarterback said “I don’t want to be part of a rebuild.”

Rodgers reportedly built a great relationship with Hackett while in Green Bay. According to Pelissero, the quarterback even called to vouch for the coach after he interviewed for the Falcons head job a year ago.

Still, Pelissero stressed there were plenty of things the Broncos liked about Nathaniel Hackett besides his connection to Rodgers. He inherits a Denver squad that went 7-10 this past season and has plenty of room to improve going forward.

“Nathaniel Hackett is a fascinating guy,” Pelissero said. “He’s 42 years old. He’s been a long-time coach going all the way back to his days in Buffalo with the Bills. …He landed in Green Bay with Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur and has really flourished in his role these past several years. He’s a unique individual in terms of the way he presents. He’s very into technology and analytics. He’s into pop culture. He finds different ways to reach this generation of players. I don’t just mean the 21-year-old millennial. Even the likes of Aaron Rodgers who is a veteran quarterback and has heard it all for 20-plus years playing football at every level.

“…He’s so high-energy. Nobody’s gonna fall asleep in his meetings. He’s going to give the most entertaining press conferences in the league. And they think he’s gonna win a lot of football games for them.”