ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — A person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press Thursday morning the Denver Broncos are finalizing a deal to hire Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their new head coach. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was still in the works and the team hadn’t announced the hiring. Hackett’s hiring will bring immediate speculation about the Broncos trying to lure star quarterback Aaron Rodgers to Denver, perhaps along with his star receiver Devante Adams, who is set to hit free agency in March. Rodgers, who turned 38 last month in the midst of what’s expected to be his fourth MVP season, is contemplating his future, including retirement, after the Packers’ early exit from the playoffs last weekend when the top-seed was upset at home 13-10 by the San Francisco 49ers. Hackett, 42, emerged as the front-runner on his own merits, however, which includes his stellar work with Blake Bortles as Jacksonville’s offensive coordinator from 2016-18 before he went to Green Bay and helped Matt LaFleur win a record 39 games in his first three seasons as head coach.
