Hackett says Broncos coaches were joking about sleeping in the facility

The Broncos coaching staff is grinding trying to get this team back on track.

On Thursday, offensive coordinator Justin Outten implied he and other coaches have been sleeping in the team’s facility.

“I don’t see my family or hear from them. I don’t see them. My car hasn’t started in a week,” Outten told reporters.

Of course, at 2-4, the Broncos need to fix this broken offense. But as our own Andrew Mason points out, this strategy may not be healthy. Sleep is important. Family is imporant. The Denver coaches might need to work smarter, not harder. It’s not like the offense has been much better in recent weeks, when the “sleepovers” started.

On Friday, head coach Nathaniel Hackett was asked about his staff sleeping at the facility and if he joins them. Hackett brushed it off, saying there’s not much truth to what Outten said.

“I mean, first and foremost, coaches always joke about that stuff. I mean, we’ve had some very unique schedules. Any time you have the short weeks, it’s a strain on coaches, but every coach has to deal with that. It’s not an excuse, you’ve just got to get your work done. And once your work is done, everybody heads out. And if you’re on a short week, that kind of extends everything,” Hackett said.

So, was Outten just joking around? Why can’t his car start and why doesn’t he see his family? If Hackett says “everyone heads out” then clearly something is amiss. There’s no doubt the staff has been putting in long hours, but it does seem like they’re getting home at some point.

Regardless, it’s just another mystery around these Broncos. Could the coordinators possibly be staying overnight and Hackett’s not aware? Or did Outten take the “joke” a little too far?

Who knows the truth, but there seems to be more disconnect between Hackett and his staff. Right now, that’s par for the course for these Broncos.

***