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Wealthy Cimini, ESPN Employees Author
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — With out mentioning Sean Payton by title, New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett responded Tuesday to Payton’s scathing criticism, saying the feedback about his teaching efficiency final season violated an unwritten “code.”
Hackett mentioned he wasn’t stunned by Payton’s remarks, claiming his Denver Broncos successor has been blasting him publicly for a yr.
“Clearly, [the] final week has been a really distinctive week for this group,” Hackett mentioned. “I have been concerned on this enterprise my complete life — 43 years. As a coach, as a coach’s child, we stay in a glass home. We all know that. All of us stay in several rooms, all of us have a key for it. It is a type of issues, there is a code, there is a method issues are finished in that home.
“This previous week, it is irritating and it sucks, however we’re all inclined to it — the stuff you do, the errors you make. It prices you time on the sphere, it prices you your job … all these issues. And I personal all that stuff. That is a truth. I’ve bought no excuses.”
Payton created nationwide headlines final week, telling USA In the present day that Hackett’s 15-game run with the Broncos final season was “one of many worst teaching jobs within the historical past of the NFL” and that there have been “20 soiled fingers” round quarterback Russell Wilson. Payton mentioned he made “a mistake,” saying he deliberate to name Hackett and Jets coach Robert Saleh to apologize.
Hackett mentioned he hasn’t obtained an apology from Payton, including that he would not anticipate Payton to comply with by means of on his promise.
Requested if he believes Payton broke the code of the teaching fraternity, Hackett mentioned, “I do. I do.” He mentioned the criticism was “very anticipated. You knew it was going to occur. You knew he was going to deal with it that method in some unspecified time in the future. That is the way it was going all final yr.”
Payton, who labored as a Fox Sports activities studio analyst final season after 15 years as coach of the New Orleans Saints, was important of the Broncos. He ripped them for permitting Wilson to have a non-public coach and his personal workplace on the crew facility. Payton additionally jabbed them for disciplinary points and clock-management issues. Hackett was fired with a 4-11 document, as Wilson suffered the worst statistical season of his profession. New possession employed Payton to resurrect the franchise.
The Jets face the Broncos Oct. 8 in Denver.
“It is unlucky that it needed to occur, the feedback that have been made, however, hey, they did,” Hackett mentioned. “I will inform you, I used to be in all probability extra stunned that it occurred now. [I] was undoubtedly anticipating them in Week 5 [when the two teams play each other]. So, I am virtually grateful that we bought that out of the best way. All of us perceive the best way sure individuals really feel and assume.”
Requested concerning the Week 5 matchup, Hackett smiled and mentioned, “It is simply one other sport.”
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers continued to defend Hackett, saying “lots of people have been stunned” by Payton’s criticism.
“I did not prefer it in any respect,” mentioned Rodgers, who referred to as Payton “insecure” in a earlier interview.
Hackett, whose father, Paul, was a longtime NFL and faculty coach, mentioned the controversy has galvanized the crew. He appeared genuinely touched by the assist from the group, saying gamers he would not know — on the defensive facet of the ball — have provided encouraging phrases. Former gamers, too, have reached out.
“Everyone has been unbelievable,” Hackett mentioned. “I feel that is one thing that is simply superior. It has introduced our crew collectively.”
