Report: Broncos targeting Packers assistant for offensive coordinator job

The Denver Broncos are expected to target Packers tight end coach Justin Outten as their offensive coordinator, per NFL reporter Tom Pelissero. Denver hired Green Bay offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as its next head coach Thursday.

Hackett was originally rumored to be bringing in Packers offensive line coach Adam Stenavich as his offensive coordinator. However, Green Bay reportedly denied the Broncos an opportunity to interview Stenavich. The Packers later promoted him as their next offensive coordinator Saturday evening.

Should Outten leave Green Bay, he would be the third coach to do so this offseason. Packers quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy is expected to become the offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bear, per a report.

Green Bay finished this past season with a record of 13-4, earning the top seed in the NFC playoffs. It would ultimately be knocked out in its first game of the postseason against the San Francisco 49ers.

Outten entered the NFL as an intern for the Atlanta Falcons in 2016 after eight seasons as a high school assistant. He was promoted to an assistant position with the Falcons in 2017 working with the offensive line before joining Green Bay in 2019, the same season as Hackett.

Prior to the Packers, Hackett was an offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars. The job with the Broncos is his first head coaching opportunity at any level for the 42-year-old.

Hackett’s connection to the Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been a big point of discussion since his hiring. With Rodgers potentially on the way out as soon as next season, Denver has been tabbed as a potential destination. Adding credibility to the speculation, the quarterback has previously expressed interest in playing with the Broncos.

Although Rodgers could ultimately stay with the Packers, it would require him to rework his current contract. This would likely be done through an extension that involves a major pay cut in the 2022 season. Based on Green Bay’s salary cap situation, it is unable to pay Rodgers what he is currently owed for next year.

The reports that Hackett is looking at Packers assistants certainly help build the narrative that Rodgers could join the Broncos. But Denver isn’t looking at Green Bay as its only option. In fact, the Packers are set to interview Chargers tight ends coach Kevin Kroger for the position soon.