Another poor outing on offense for the Jets was on display last night, but changes on the sidelines for the unit will not be forthcoming. Head coach Robert Saleh said after the game (via SNY’s Connor Hughes) offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett will retain play-calling duties. 
Hackett was hired this offseason after his disastrous head coaching stint in Denver. The 43-year-old was fired before finishing his first campaign in charge of the Broncos, but his New York agreement paved the way for another opportunity to lead an offense (and, of course, began the speculation connecting Aaron Rodgers to the Jets). The former Packers duo were indeed reunited, though Rodgers’ Achilles tear has altered the Jets’ season on offense in particular.
After repeatedly receiving votes of confidence from Saleh and Co., Zach Wilson has handled starting duties in Rodgers’ absence. That decision has not sat well with everyone in the locker room, and the former No. 2 pick’s lack of development (coupled with underwhelming play from a banged-up offensive line) has hamstrung a team which entered the year with signficant expectations. Hackett has received criticism as well, but he will remain in his current role for at least the time being.
After being held to just six points by a Chargers defense which has not fared particularly well in 2023, the Jets sit 30th in the league in scoring and 28th in total offense with an average of 16.5 points and 303 yards per game. Those struggles have outweighed top-10 performances in a number of defensive categories and threatened to hold New York out of the postseason barring a notable uptick in offensive production. A return from Rodgers – something the Jets are still holding out hope for – could change the team’s outlook, but the 39-year-old has made it clear suiting up in 2023 (if at all possible) would not take place unless a postseason berth was in reach.
Hackett had considerable success with the latter during their shared time in Green Bay, although play-calling duties were not part of the equation during that time. Hackett was deemed responsible in no small part for Russell Wilson‘s career-worst season in Denver last year, and it would come as a surprise if he were to receive another HC look in the near future. A rebound down the stretch in New York as OC would be a welcomed development, though.
Former Titans offensive coordinator Todd Downing is on the Jets’ staff as passing game coordinator. He would represent an experienced option if Saleh were to decide a change in play-caller would be helpful to New York’s late-season prospects. As things stand, though, no such shake-up is in the cards.
entire offense is in disarray… questionable play calling, injured and inconsistent OLine, dropped balls by receivers, and erratic QB play.
Yep.
What’s that classic definition of insanity again? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results…
Outside of fantasy football, I had little interest in the game last night, but watched as there wasn’t much else on. I don’t see them often, so honest question – does the Jets offense ALWAYS look that bad?
Yep. Their D has carried them all season.
Think they are going to pull the duties from the guy that Rodgers wanted as his OC?
Not when he’s doing a stellar job of dialing up punts.
I’m just saying this is a result of giving into every demand that Rodgers had before agreeing to go to the Jets.
You saw how Rodgers stuck up for Hackett. I wouldn’t be shocked if Rodgers behind the scenes wasn’t backing the bus up over Wilson and insisting things will be better when he returns.
The guy seems untouchable while he has Rodgers support
Wilson can’t manage the current offense, imagine what he’d be like with an offense that had creativity
I partly believe Hackett has had to dumb down his system so much just to try to build some kind of success for Wilson.
Guess Payton was right (but I’m no fan of either coach)
This team is screwed with this coaching staff
The Owner and GM are heavily involved with this mess. Going all in on Rodgers instead of going after Lamar Jackson was huge mistake. Then not immediately trading for a better option than Wilson once Rodgers went down was second horrible decision. Also, the GM failed in free agency and draft to improve a bad offensive line. GM also sat on his hands at the deadline, making calls for unavailable WRs instead of making calls and deals for offensive linemen or a better option at QB was a huge mistake… The owner probably won’t replace himself but he needs to pull the plug on Douglas, Saleh, Rodgers, Wilson and bring in new people who will the QB right and a head coach who will develop a winning culture
I don’t know about Saleh (as he was brought in because of how good his def was in SF), but I agree on most of what you’re saying. Douglas hasn’t done much to put this team over the hump. Stubbornly hanging onto Wilson, who has clearly shown that he is who he is, was a huge misplay, nor fixing that o-line.
And Hackett… OOOOF. That offence is baaaaaad. Luckily they have Hall to build off of.
Can everyone move on from this Lamar narrative? He wanted the biggest contract and the Ravens used the Franchise Tag because they knew no one would give up the guarantees that were being theorized about. He technically could sign anywhere, but even if he signed an offer sheet with anyone else, the Ravens were going to match it all along. They never wavered from saying they wanted him there.
Lamar would not have success in this system ..also the owner woody johnson i believe has douglas & saleh on short leash since he never hired them to begin with his brother chris did when woody was away for years in uk workin for trump
It’s the quarterback, stupid
The Jets offense shows no imagination. It looks identical to the Raiders offense before last week. They have to get Wilson on the move a little. In the games I’ve seen, they force him out of the pocket, he moves right, they squeeze him against the sidelines, and then he throws into a crowd.
I’m not saying he is any good, but the game plan does him no favors. Just like I said with Fields two years ago, they need a couple of designed runs to keep the defenses honest.
Coach has done a remarkable job with the D. As for the offense, it goes back to the same issue for the past several years – the offensive line. Darnold, Wilson, Rodgers getting injured, all impacted due to a poor line. Darnold and Wilson may not be the prospects the Jets expected, but it’s been consistent that neither has been able to do much of anything because of the line.
Going forward, keep Wilson as a BU to Rodgers for one more year – hoping more time with AR rubs off on him. Meantime, get a QB in the late rounds and hope for a Purdy.
Look up stats with other jets qbs(mike white joe flaaco josh johnson) leading the nfl in passing yards per game(chiefs in 2nd) in the last 2 seasons behind that same banged up o line…the jets are ranked in the 30s in the last 2 years when zach starts though.its him
Watching that game last night, it wasn’t play calling but fumbles and a QB that just doesn’t get it.
If Saleh is brought back, they should cut and run from Rodgers and Wilson and deal for Kyler Murray in off season. Murray will allow them to hide the deficiencies they have on there o-line.
LOL…..now that is funny.