WATCH: Jets HC Robert Saleh shows utmost respect to Nathaniel Hackett after the team’s authoritative win over the Broncos amid disrespectful statements from Sean Payton towards the ex-Denver coach

On Sunday, the Jets successfully defeated the Broncos in their week 5 matchup.

WATCH: Jets HC Robert Saleh shows utmost respect to Nathaniel Hackett after the team’s authoritative win over the Broncos amid disrespectful statements from Sean Payton towards the ex-Denver coach

Robert Saleh (L) and Nathaniel Hackett (R) (Jets/ X)

One of the biggest stories heading into week 5 of the NFL season was Nathaniel Hackett and the New York Jets‘ revenge game against the Denver Broncos. The much-anticipated game took place on Sunday and Hackett had the last laugh against the Sean Payton-led Broncos as the Jets managed to outduel the Broncos. After the game, the Jets head coach Robert Saleh handed the game ball to Hackett in the locker room.

“How about offense — 234 yards rushing — 177 from Breece [Hall],” Saleh said in his postgame speech. “There’s a lot of good things we can talk about in regards to these stats. But I’ve got one game ball. Hack!” Saleh handed the game ball to Hackett as the entire locker room erupted in cheers for the Jets offensive coordinator.

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Even before the kickoff of the game, the Jets tight end C.J. Uzomah called out the Broncos head coach Sean Payton and dedicated the game to Hackett in a fiery pregame speech. Nathaniel Hackett was scrutinized by Payton during the off-season as the current head coach called Hackett’s work in Denver “one of the worst coaching jobs” in the history of the NFL.

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Hackett was fired by the Broncos in the 2022 midseason after they went 4-11 with him as their head coach. And now, Hackett, as the offensive coordinator of the Jets got his revenge on the Denver-based football team with a 31-21 victory on Sunday.

Furthermore, after receiving the game ball, Hackett briefly addressed the team while taking a subtle shot at the Broncos QB Russell Wilson. “Just want you to know that it’s an honor to be with you guys,” Hackett said in his postgame speech. “Watching that defense go out there, sack him [Wilson], get turnovers. It’s absolutely beautiful.”

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Nathaniel Hackett badly wanted to win this game, claims Sauce Gardner

Sunday was the first time Nathaniel Hackett faced his former team Broncos, since he was fired by them after week 15 of the 2022 season. Hackett didn’t talk a lot about the “revenge game” but Sauce Gardner claims the Jets OC badly wanted to win this game.

Sauce Gardner SI Jets
Sauce Gardner (Via SI)

“You could just look how he carried himself all week, you know what I mean? He had that look on his face, like, man, he really wanted this game. So it meant a lot to get a win for him,” said Gardner according to ESPN.

This game really meant a lot to Hackett. After the victory, the entire Jets crew could be seen congratulating Nathaniel Hackett — who had a very big smile on his face — with hugs and fist bumps.

The Jets broke their 3-game losing streak and improved to 2-3 with their victory against the Broncos. Next, the Jets will take on much tougher opponents, the Philadelphia Eagles coming Sunday in their week 6 matchup.

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