By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
There was a report that former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh was going to make a move with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett before his departure. Initial report said that Saleh was going to fire Hackett before he was fired himself by owner Woody Johnson.
Then, it was reported that Hackett was going to have his play-calling duties stripped from him. Saleh lost his job on Tuesday. On Thursday, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to make that move.
Ulbrich has given the play-calling duties to Todd Downing. Hackett is expected to remain with the team as offensive coordinator.
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“This is more a byproduct of (seeking) a different take on things,” Ulbrich said to the media on Thursday. “I’m not saying it’s a better or worse take on things by any means, but just a different take on things, a fresh approach. So ultimately, Todd will have the full say on the game plan and ultimately the plays that are called within the game.”
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers hinted at a possible move being made during his appearance on the Pat McAfee show on ESPN.
Hackett has worked with Rodgers for much of the last decade. He was the Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator for several seasons with the future Hall of Famer.
Then, after spending one season with the Denver Broncos as their head coach, he became the Jets offensive coordinator. And Rodgers was eventually traded from the Packers to the Jets.
“It was obviously not necessarily a shock, but we are all familiar with the relationship he has with Nathaniel,” Ulbrich said. “They’re very, very good friends. They go back a long ways. He understood the decision, and he was supportive of the decision. I’m fortunate for that.”
Downing was their quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator this season. He spent the 2023 season as their passing game coordinator.
Before joining the Jets, Downing was the Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator in 2021 and 2022. He also had previous offensive coordinator responsibilities with the Oakland Raiders (now the Las Vegas Raiders) in 2017.
Downing — who has been an assistant coach in the NFL since 2006 — has been primarily an offensive coach since 2009 with the Detroit Lions. During this time, he has been either an offensive quality control coach, quarterbacks coach, tight ends coach, passing game coordinator or offensive coordinator.
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Ulbrich says that Hackett will be a “huge contributor to everything we do on offense.” However, one thing for sure is that the Jets need to win.
And if they struggle moving forward and do not produce, then these moves were a waste.
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