USAT: Broncos Wire audio clip

USAT: Broncos Wire

Jan 31, 2022

After the Denver Broncos hired Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their new head coach, speculation increased that the team might pursue quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason. - During Hackett’s introductory press conference last Friday, general manager George Paton was asked directly if hiring Hackett was a package deal that would also include Rodgers. If that is the team’s plan, Paton wouldn’t be able to say so because it would be considering tampering as Rodgers is still under contract in Green Bay. - Paton side-stepped the question initially and changed the topic to his family. - “Before I answer that, my family showed up late and I believe this is the first time they’ve been in UCHealth Training Center, so I want to introduce my wife Barb, in the back, my beautiful daughter, Bella, and my handsome son, Beau,” Paton said. “Welcome to UCHealth, I think this is the first-time you guys have been here because of COVID-19.” - Paton then had a direct answer to the question: “And, absolutely not. Thanks for asking.” - That’s not a surprising answer because, again, even if Denver does plan to pursue Rodgers, the team can’t publicly say so. - Hackett has three years of experience coaching Rodgers, though, and he was asked about his time working with the quarterback. That question could be answered. - “First and foremost, Aaron was absolutely unbelievable,” Hackett said. “He’s been one of my biggest supporters and I love him. I’m thankful very much for him. Coaching a man like that, the one thing I learned is, you better have an answer for every question because he’s going to ask every single question about every single thing that you’re going to do. I think that was something that was very valuable for me. - “When you’re dealing with a guy that intelligent, if you want to do something, you’re not going to be able to put that up there and say, ‘Hey, you’re doing this,’ unless it’s something that he might’ve already done in the past. If it’s something new, you have to be sure to have a great answer. It’s just allowed me to understand communicating and talking with everybody and knowing that you have to always have an answer to ‘Why?’” - Green Bay is still waiting for Rodgers’ decision on his future. The 38-year-old QB could choose to retire, stay with the Packers or ask for a trade. Green Bay is “cautiously optimistic” he will remain with the team in 2022. - If the quarterback does ask for a trade, joining the Broncos — and reuniting with Hackett — would make sense for the veteran. - - List - - 4 quarterbacks Broncos should consider trading for in 2022 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Broncos Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Broncos Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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