Jets Defend Nathaniel Hackett Ahead of Broncos Game After Sean Payton’s Preseason Jabs

Several New York players enter Sunday’s contest with something to prove to the Denver coach.

Nathaniel Hackett found himself among the NFL’s biggest preseason headlines after Broncos coach Sean Payton ripped the new Jets offensive coordinator for his brief tenure as Denver’s football coach, calling it “one of the worst coaching jobs” in NFL history.

Now, about two months later, the two teams are poised to clash Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High. Both Denver (1-3) and New York (1-3) are seeking their second win of the season.

Although Payton apologized for his comment, and Hackett appears unfazed by the remark, Jets players haven’t forgotten about the disrespect their offensive coordinator experienced.

“[Payton] tried to drag [Hackett] under the bus,” said Jets center Connor McGovern, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “He’s definitely a guy that you want to play hard for. … To go to a place that was dogging a guy that’s so nice and so good at his job, and for him to get … dragged through the mud, you definitely want to play that much harder.”

Jets offensive tackle Alijah Vera-Tucker said he and his teammates plan to “rally behind” Hackett in the matchup against the Broncos. New York enters Week 5 on a three-game losing streak, while Denver earned its first win of the season last week against the Bears.