Report reveals big reason behind Broncos’ Nathaniel Hackett decision

“The play on the field was terrible. The quarterback play, terrible. But the fighting on the sideline may have been worse, because that was a sign that coach Nathaniel Hackett had really lost his team,” Rapoport said. “Complete disorganization on the sideline, players running amok, yelling at each other. It was all bad, but that was really a sign that it could actually get worse. Things could really implode in the locker room.”

The fighting that Rapoport is alluding to is a confrontation in which offensive lineman Dalton Risner shoved backup quarterback Brett Rypien during the game. The Broncos also got into a physical confrontation with the Rams after the game ended.

The Broncos have been plagued by rumors of tension for much of the second half of the season. Hints of it have emerged on the sideline before, but Sunday was the most obvious manifestation of it and played a significant role in Hackett’s dismissal a day later.

Ultimately, Hackett’s tenure had plenty of problems, a number of which emerged early in the season. The offense never improved, and the discord among the team was the last straw.