- May 21, 2026
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We're in the business of finding and sharing and analyzing interesting remarks from anyone in the NFL ecosystem. But certain supposedly controversial comments aren't really as big of a deal as some may interpret them to be.
Case in point: Cardinals offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is catching some heat for comments he made on Saturday about rookie running back Jeremiyah Love.
"He's definitely a rookie, and — as we've talked about," Hackett said. "And he'll keep growing every single day. I'm very excited for him. All those guys. Not just him."
The broader context has to be considered, especially since Hackett specifically added "as we've talked about."
Earlier in the session, Hackett addressed the challenges that first-year players face when training camp opens. The question related to the things that are different for rookies.
"Everything you can imagine," Hackett said. "I mean, coming to this league is — I mean, just the speed is so different. You talk about the speed, being in a new building. . . . t's a whole new environment. New people to work with, and definitely new playbooks that are very, very intricate. Due to the fact of all the things that we see and all the different — I mean, just our defense out there. I mean, you get almost everything and more. Which is great, because it helps you for the season, but for a young player to have to be able to adjust and learn just basic system and then apply it to different defenses. It takes some time. So heads are spinning right now, especially after two days, but I think it'll just get better and better. That's the goal."
Hackett wasn't dismissing or minimizing Love. He's a rookie. Like the rest of the rookies. Everything is different. Everything is new. "Heads are spinning," as Hackett said.
Training camp is the time to slow, and eventually to stop, the spinning. They have plenty of time to get Love ready to go. For now, after only two days, he's beginning the adjustment.
That's all it means. Which makes the comment not nearly as alarming as some are making it out to be.
Case in point: Cardinals offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is catching some heat for comments he made on Saturday about rookie running back Jeremiyah Love.
"He's definitely a rookie, and — as we've talked about," Hackett said. "And he'll keep growing every single day. I'm very excited for him. All those guys. Not just him."
The broader context has to be considered, especially since Hackett specifically added "as we've talked about."
Earlier in the session, Hackett addressed the challenges that first-year players face when training camp opens. The question related to the things that are different for rookies.
"Everything you can imagine," Hackett said. "I mean, coming to this league is — I mean, just the speed is so different. You talk about the speed, being in a new building. . . . t's a whole new environment. New people to work with, and definitely new playbooks that are very, very intricate. Due to the fact of all the things that we see and all the different — I mean, just our defense out there. I mean, you get almost everything and more. Which is great, because it helps you for the season, but for a young player to have to be able to adjust and learn just basic system and then apply it to different defenses. It takes some time. So heads are spinning right now, especially after two days, but I think it'll just get better and better. That's the goal."
Hackett wasn't dismissing or minimizing Love. He's a rookie. Like the rest of the rookies. Everything is different. Everything is new. "Heads are spinning," as Hackett said.
Training camp is the time to slow, and eventually to stop, the spinning. They have plenty of time to get Love ready to go. For now, after only two days, he's beginning the adjustment.
That's all it means. Which makes the comment not nearly as alarming as some are making it out to be.