Under intense scrutiny essentially since he took over as Jets offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett remains in place after Robert Saleh‘s Tuesday-morning ouster. The Jets are not planning to can the embattled OC, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
Considering Hackett’s ties to Aaron Rodgers, this is unsurprising. The Jets have gone through interesting efforts to curb Hackett’s power, however, having made an effort to hire an assistant that would limit the ex-Packers OC’s reach in the building. That plan, which looked to have Saleh’s fingerprints on it based on his view of Hackett coming out of last season, did not come to fruition.
Hackett surviving may have caught some in the organization by surprise. Rather than Saleh being in jeopardy of losing his job post-London, SNY’s Connor Hughes notes some suspected Hackett to be closer to the chopping block. Jets front office figures have been scrutinizing Hackett’s work recently, Hughes adds. Rodgers, though, has endorsed Hackett on numerous occasions — including this offseason.
Hackett, 44, is no stranger to in-season firings. The Jaguars removed him from his OC post during the 2018 season. More memorably, the Broncos made him one of the few first-year HCs in NFL history to be fired before his first season ended. Hackett’s disastrous Denver stint lasted all of 15 games. The Jets, however, hired him to call plays soon after. The move certainly had an impact on the team acquiring Rodgers, who was near retirement at the time Hackett signed on to call Jets plays.
Scrutiny aside, Hackett has the backing of Rodgers, effectively an organizational power broker given his importance to this Jets regime’s chances of sticking around beyond 2024. Seemingly, the only chance that happens is if interim HC Jeff Ulbrich leads a turnaround. Hackett’s tie to Rodgers, stemming from three seasons as a non-play-calling Green Bay OC, has proven strong enough to stabilize — to a degree, at least — the second-generation NFL coach’s career.
The Jets’ Zach Wilson offense fared worse under Hackett than it did with Mike LaFleur calling the plays. The Jets’ 10 touchdowns through 12 games last season represented the fewest in that timespan to start a season since 2000. New York ranked 29th in scoring and 31st in total offense last season. Even with Rodgers back this year, Hackett’s West Coast Offense-based attack sits 25th in points and 27th in yards. They sit 23rd in offensive DVOA.
Sean Payton memorably called Hackett’s 2022 performance one of the worst coaching jobs in NFL history. The latter’s short tenure points to the organization agreeing, as Russell Wilson bottomed out to display a shocking decline that, for the first time, injected real doubt about the former Super Bowl winner’s Hall of Fame case. Wilson rebounded, to a degree, under Payton last season. The Broncos appeared disjointed in 2022, and Hackett ceded play-calling duties to QBs coach Klint Kubiak late in his abbreviated tenure. Denver featured three play-callers that year, with OC Justin Outten succeeding the dismissed Hackett in that role.
The Jets have a former OC on their staff, in Todd Downing, who serves as QBs coach and the team’s pass-game coordinator. Downing has received two chances at being an OC, having served in the role for the 2017 Raiders and then for the Titans from 2021-22. Tennessee fired Downing after the ’22 season, weeks after he was arrested on a DUI charge.
Talk about kissing Aaron’s backside.
This is Rodgers’ biggest win of the season.
Well then what the hell was the point in firing Saleh?? The weakest link has been Hackett’s play calling and that’s gonna be allowed to continue? SOJ man, s. o, f’ing j
The point of firing Saleh was to get rid of the one person still trying to hold Rodgers accountable for his play. It’s Saleh’s fault Aaron threw 3 picks on Sunday, not Aaron.
Your a clown! It was Rodgers who threw the football not saleh.
Whoosh!
Playcalling is only part of the problem let’s be real
This is comedic.
This team gave the keys to the kingdom to a narcissist diva.
Rodgers doesn’t care – and he isn’t committed.
This entire Jets saga is about his ego. Yet they keep the terrible OC – universally regarded one of the worst.
Its completely emasculating to the GM and Everyone else.
Jets – never change.
AGREED
I’m sorry, Jets fans. Nobody deserves this garbage.
The Jets are in a better place than Miami or New England.
That’s the guy who should go, but Rodgers thinks he’s fun to have around, so…
What a sad out of touch owner. Letting himself continue to be taken in by idiot Rogers is just embarrassing. I guess two Trump fans celebrating their genius together.
The Jets talent on offense is solid but the offensive schemes are bad plus Aaron Rodgers arm strength is not what it once was – can an offensive coach teach receivers how to run routes effectively and after play breaks down ? – Hackett has established himself as a below average offensive mind in the NFL but has befriended a powerful QB which has filled his bank accounts
The Jets are a Dumpster Fire, but their defense is pretty good, but the Offense, not so much
The NFL’s dumpster fire is in Cleveland.
There’s room for more than one dumpster fire. Jets are one of the most mismanaged teams in the league and it’s been that way a looong time.
CHrist almighty Aaron would kill everyone in the room if they fired Hackett and his crappy offense with Aarons personally crappy hand picked members
Aaron will retreat to a dark room for 72 hours and will emerge with his hand picked head coach. PLease await the Swammys decision.
Absurd. The Bills being mediocre has left the door open for a division title and they decide to keep the weakest link. Give me a break. I almost hope the season spirals so we can move on from Rodgers and end this saga.
Yeah, because you can’t run it up against cupcakes every week in the NFL.
Not really sure why you’re trying to say, Chucky.
I’d wager that both Rodgers (retires) and Hackett will be gone after this season.
Has G.M Rodgers traded multiple drafts picks yet for Adams . LOL. He got coach fired.
Hmmmm I WONDER WHY!?!!????