Nathaniel Hackett - Head Coach, cardinals Event: Press Conference | Date: 2026-09-10 | Full transcript (primary source).
On September 10, 2026, Nathaniel Hackett addressed the media during a press conference for the Arizona Cardinals, discussing the integration of rookie running back Jeremiah into the team's lineup and the overall development of players as the season begins. The press conference took place shortly after the conclusion of training camp, focusing on the team's strategies for managing their running back group and the progression of their third-string quarterback.
Transcript
Hackett: I know it's still touch and go here, what exactly is going to happen with Jeremiah. But when he is in the lineup, whether it's this week or any other week, you've been in this league long enough. Is there a good way to integrate a rookie running back into this? There's always a lot of talk over the years over like running back is one of those things where they can drop in and do a lot right away as opposed to maybe some other positions, kind of what's your philosophy on that? I'm really excited that we have a lot of good running backs. I think that's the most important thing. When you look at a whole season in that position, a group that can carry the ball numerous times and can get some receptions, pass protect, all those things. It's about making sure they're all fresh, they get through the whole season. We've got them all out there, I'm really excited. Bam's had a really good camp, Tyler is awesome, Jeremiah is awesome. So just all those guys, we wanna be sure that they're all getting in there and they're able to play at the highest level.
Hackett: With Carson, he upset us this season is the third string quarterback on the depth. Trump said, rookie, you wanna keep developing him. How have you guys built a structure for him to be able to continue that development as the season starts to move out of training camp? That's a great question. I mean, it's all about development in this league, especially once the season starts and those reps start going down. How do you do that? And he has to stay locked in at all times. He's got to prepare like he's a starter. Every single time he walks in that meeting room, every time he's on that field during practice, it's constantly repeating the plays, calling the plays right back there with me, making sure he's on it at all times. And in the meetings, it's about taking notes. It's about taking those mental reps. And every single thing that we say to Jacobi and Gardner, we're saying to him also. So I think it's just about building a process to be able to visually see everything all the time and then getting those scout team reps. The scout team reps are so important because that's the speed of the game. It might not be exactly what we're doing, but it allows him to throw to those guys that we have out there versus a really good defense. And so I think all that contributes to continuous development.
Hackett: In what ways do you treat that differently for a rookie third-string quarterback than if your third-string quarterback was a seven, eight-year veteran who you're maybe not trying to develop in the same way? I've always taken the mindset as you're developing everybody to be a starter. I mean, I've been in this league a long time, and anything can happen. So everybody on this team has to be ready to go. I don't care what spot you are on the roster. We want everybody to prepare like that. Even though they might have a different role right now, doesn't mean it's not going to change in a couple weeks. So it doesn't matter how many years experience. If you're a rookie, if you're a 10-year vet, we want everybody to be ready to go at all times.
Hackett: You've been working with them for the last six or so weeks. Who is this Jacobi Brissette compared to the kid you saw at the senior ball? He is a lot different. I mean, as many years as he's been in the league now, I mean, he's a vet. And you feel it. You see it, how he sees things, how he talks about just the different fronts, the different coverages, everything. I mean, he's seen so much. I mean, he's been in a lot of systems. So you can't really surprise him with a new player or anything like that. But I mean, I think it's just his command. His command, his trust in his eyes, his understanding of his feet, and how those all connect. So it's really cool to see him. He's so developed now compared to when you get these young rookies, especially at that position, it's like everything's so brand new and fresh. And this is just kind of trying to get the lingo, get the system down. But I mean, he's been great to work with. I mean, just his demeanor, his control, the huddle, I mean, just everything. I mean, voted the captain, which is so great. So it's been really fun to work with him. He's so well-liked across that locker room.
Hackett: See the traits in a 22-year-old Jacobi that would end up being the guy who is so beloved around the league. I mean, guys, it's great about him wherever you go. I mean, we had a really cool group, that senior bowl. And I think there was something really special about that group. I mean, we had him, Dak Prescott, Brandon Allen, and guys that have been in the league for a long time. And all those guys, you can feel their character. Everybody talks about the quarterback and that it factor. And you felt their presence, their hunger for knowledge, even all the way back then. So just the fact that he's done what he's done, it's just a tribute to him and all the work that he's put in and to be able to be in this league this long and have this amazing opportunity.
Hackett: What about being a preseason dude, your offensive line, and what about the matchup this week up front? Those guys have done a great job working together. Obviously, it's a new system. There's a lot of different communication, different words for different plays, and all that. I think it starts with the center. I mean, Fro's been great. I mean, he's so smart, obviously, a very, very good football player, and his intelligence helps. And just the way that those guys communicate is what I've really appreciated, both in protection and in the run game. The matchups this week, I mean, they got some big boys up front. And obviously, Cleo Mack have gone against him numerous, numerous times. I just have the utmost respect for him. And to Lee, he's a big man on the outside. I mean, they've got a lot of unique fronts. So for us, it's about communicating, understanding our rules and understanding how we operate. And those guys communicating the different personnel groupings, the different fronts, all the crazy stuff that they do, and being able to go out there and play at a fast pace.
Hackett: Do you think the trainers will be similar to what they've done in the past, even with the change of coordinator? Or how do you approach them? The beauty of it is we have no clue. I mean, you look at it, it's week one. So you never really know. And it's a new coordinator. So you never know even more. He does have experience with this group. So in the back of our minds, we think it's that. But it's funny, you get up in front of the players and like, hey, this is what you're going to see. But I don't really know. I mean, in the end, I mean, this is his first time calling a game, a real game. So I'm excited for him. And I'm excited for us to go against him. And we'll see what happens.
Hackett: Hunter Long was a late addition to the offense. But what has he added to that tight end during the offense as a whole? He's been great. He's come in, like you said. It's only been a couple of days. And you can feel his toughness, his strength, his ability to block. He runs really well too. I mean, he's got some good hands. I mean, all those things are things that we look for in a tight end. And it's been fun to have him in there. And he's picked up the system well. So excited to get him out there.
Hackett: Being able to work with Marv as much as you have, what stands out on the field and off the field, in your opinion? I mean, the guy is really smart. I mean, really, really smart. It's crazy. Like, I don't even know if he's got a mental error. I mean, he's one of those guys. I mean, his work ethic, how hard he works out there is so impressive. That you can kind of throw anything at him. And he'll know probably everybody's position, what they're doing. He might even know the protection rules. I'm not sure I haven't gone there with him. But I think that's something that I've been really impressed with. And obviously, he's got all those intangibles, the size, the speed, the strength, and all that stuff. So I'm excited for him to be able to have this first game, all of us.
Hackett: You obviously don't want to see injuries in anybody. But with Isaiah and Chase hurting, the fact that John not only has been here a couple of years and had some starts, but has been able to be in a lineup for the last couple of whatever weeks, how much does that help, even though you're not necessarily putting out the unit that you thought you were going to put in? With Jonathan, it's one of those things. He was playing center. And I think that when you look at, you've got that standard of Fro, how Fro handles everything. So to be able to be at that position and work with Fro from that standpoint and then be thrown in there guard throughout training camp, he's been out there a little bit now. And it's really helped him. I mean, his intelligence, too. And that's what I talk about with that communication, to have those two guys that are responsible for that and then next to each other. You've got Isaac in there, a veteran guy. Whoever's up, whoever's going in there, it's been really great watching those guys communicate so that they can go play fast. I mean, that's what you're always looking for is not people questioning or wondering, should I do this or that? But to be able to get up there, get a confident call, work together, and play fast.
Hackett: For guys offensively like Marv, Michael, Jeremiah, Trey. It's pretty cool. Right? How do you go about making sure they're happy? I mean, obviously they want to win, but they also, Trey wants to follow. They all want the ball to play. So how do you go about making sure that they're satisfied? Get them a lot of footballs thrown to them over and over again. So we just need a lot of plays. A lot of plays and just give them all the ball. That's the tricky part. I mean, anything. I mean, listen, it's about being detailed in how you install everything and them understanding where the balls go. You might call a play that trays the number one 10 times in a row and other people might get the ball. The idea is that the quarterback understands the progression and throws it to the open guy. And whoever that is, the good thing is there's going to be a lot of different people that people are going to have to cover. And I think that's the good thing for us is even if Marv is one or Michael's one or whoever, well, the two and the three, you're excited to get the ball to them too.
Hackett: Where's the collaboration getting ready for this week with Jacoby and Mike on what plays you want to script? What does that look like for the three of you? It's been great. I mean, we all work together. We're always talking about what we're doing, what we're seeing, what we're trying to accomplish. Game planning is always a very unique process throughout the week, especially the first time with the first time staff. So for us, it's about obviously Mike first and foremost, his vision and how that is then given to Jacoby and how it fits with Jacoby. And so we just want to be sure we have the best plan and the tightest plan for everyone.
Hackett: When it is week one for a new staff, what are typical wrinkles you're working through for game planning for the first time? I don't know if it's necessarily the game planning. I think it's more like coming to a decision and deciding what we want. We have been together the whole off season. We understand our system, we understand the offense, what we're trying to accomplish with each individual play. So once those are in, everybody, that's great. We all know how to coach that. It's more the meetings, the timing of the meetings, the who's doing what. So we're just kind of, we work through all that stuff and that usually takes a couple of weeks for a first time staff to kind of get into a good rhythm. Everything gets done, just might take a little longer at times, but that's what we'll hopefully get better at throughout the season.
Hackett: Does that extend to the process on the side, the history of the games, in terms of talking on the headsets? Is the preseason different than the regular season? No, it's like you even look at practice. When you're out there at practice, a play is called and it's about the operation and execution and the play style. That for us is the most important thing. We all understand that process and what needs to be done. So that's all very, that's like the easy part, the coaching part of it. The decision process and the installation and the teaching of it and who's doing what, when, where, how, when you get that stuff done and how you then go game plan the next phase and the next phase, there's a lot that goes on. And I think it's just, we just got to keep getting tighter and tighter and making it easier, easier on us.
