The Denver Broncos suffered a heartbreaking 29–28 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, a defeat that not only highlighted the team’s ongoing struggles but also reignited old controversies surrounding the franchise.

Head coach Sean Payton, visibly frustrated during his postgame press conference, admitted that his team had to “go back to the drawing board” in order to reset. “We didn’t execute well enough, we left too many plays out there,” Payton said. “If we want to compete at the highest level, we need to start over and fix the fundamentals.”

While Payton’s remarks struck a familiar tone of accountability, what truly sent shockwaves through the NFL community was a statement from former Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett. Once considered the architect of Denver’s offensive vision, Hackett didn’t hold back when asked about the loss. In a biting, sarcastic comment, he declared:

“Without me, this team is nothing. The recent loss is the clearest proof.”

The remark immediately went viral, triggering fierce debate across sports networks and social media platforms.

Fallout from Hackett’s Statement

Hackett, who was fired during the 2022 season after a disastrous tenure in Denver, has long been criticized for his inability to deliver results. Yet his latest comment struck a nerve, particularly because it came after such a narrow and painful defeat.

ESPN analyst Marcus Taylor described Hackett’s words as “a deliberate provocation.” “He knows what he’s doing,” Taylor said. “It’s one thing for a coach to defend his legacy, but to openly taunt his former team after a loss like this—he poured gasoline on a fire that was already burning.”

Broncos fans expressed outrage online, with many calling Hackett’s statement “classless” and “delusional.” On Twitter (X), hashtags like #HackettShade and #BroncosCollapse trended within hours. Memes mocking both Hackett and the Broncos spread rapidly, with some fans joking that the former coach was “trying to rewrite history” after his own failures.

Pressure on the Broncos

For Sean Payton and quarterback Bo Nix, the focus now shifts back to the field. The Broncos, sitting at 1–3, are already facing mounting criticism over inconsistent play and missed opportunities. Against the Colts, Nix threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns but also committed a costly interception late in the game that set up the Colts’ winning field goal.

Payton attempted to shield his rookie quarterback from blame, emphasizing the need for collective improvement. “It’s not about one guy,” Payton said. “We win as a team, we lose as a team.”

Will the Broncos Collapse Without Hackett?

The central question raised by Hackett’s comment—whether the Broncos are destined to collapse without him—has been widely dismissed by analysts. “Let’s be clear: the Broncos collapsed with Hackett,” said FOX Sports commentator Jenna Alvarez. “His tenure was one of the worst in modern NFL history. The idea that Denver’s problems today are because he’s gone is laughable.”

Still, Hackett’s words added fuel to an already intense spotlight on Denver. With a critical matchup against a division rival looming, the Broncos must find a way to tune out the noise and prove that they can rebound.

For now, the NFL community remains fixated on a storyline that combines heartbreak on the field with drama off it. The loss itself was bad enough—but Hackett’s comments ensured that the Broncos will be under even greater scrutiny in the weeks ahead.