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Cardinals To Hire Nathaniel Hackett As OC

By | at February 5, 2026 12:35 am

Nathaniel Hackett was believed to be heading to Miami to become the Dolphins’ quarterbacks coach. But he is now on track to move back onto the coordinator tier.

The Cardinals are hiring Hackett as their OC under Mike LaFleur, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports. Hackett was LaFleur’s successor as Jets OC; the duo will now head up the offense in Arizona.

A report last week had Hackett committing to the Dolphins to become their QBs coach under Jeff Hafley, but a better offer has come up that will force Miami to keep looking. This will be a non-play-calling position, with LaFleur set to hold the play sheet in the desert. That will be familiar territory for Hackett, who served as Matt LaFleur‘s non-play-calling OC with the Packers from 2019-21. That stay boosted Hackett’s stock; the next three seasons tanked it.

Considering Hackett’s three-year stretch from 2022-24, a move back to the coordinator tier represents a risky decision on the Cardinals’ part. The Broncos fired Hackett 15 games into his HC tenure, and the Jets demoted him from play-calling duties in 2024 — after an offseason effort to strip his power failed. Hackett ended up back in Green Bay as a defensive analyst last season, and his relationship with the LaFleurs appears to be strong enough for what will be a fifth chance as an NFL OC.

Prior to Hackett’s Green Bay stay, he served in that capacity in Buffalo and Jacksonville. Fired during a disappointing Jaguars 2018 season, Hackett landed on his feet weeks later as Matt LaFleur’s OC. The Packers then secured three playoff byes in Hackett’s three years in that role, with Aaron Rodgers earning MVP acclaim in 2020 and ’21. Rodgers has consistently vouched for Hackett, to the point he is believed to have interceded with a Jets effort to fire him after the 2023 season. But Hackett has enjoyed memorable failures with and without the star QB outside of Wisconsin.

The Broncos named Hackett as head coach in January 2022; in early March, they completed a blockbuster Russell Wilson trade. This move took place shortly after Rodgers recommitted to the Packers on a three-year extension. The Broncos were connected to Rodgers for a while, and although they insisted their Wilson trade was not connected to the then-reigning MVP’s Packers decision, the Hackett-Wilson partnership was a historic bust.

Giving Wilson’s camp considerable influence in the building and having the perennial Seahawks Pro Bowler partially dictate how the offense was structured, Hackett proved to be a poor HC fit. Hackett game management gaffes that September led to the Broncos bringing in an assistant (Jerry Rosburg) to run that department, and the embattled HC then removed himself from play-calling duties, giving the play sheet to QBs coach Klint Kubiak. The Broncos canned Hackett after a blowout loss to the Rams, with Rosburg finishing the season as interim HC. Despite Denver’s disjointed offense ranking last in 2022, Hackett landed the New York OC job in 2023.

After LaFleur saw Zach Wilson‘s struggles lead to his ouster, Hackett was soon forced to work with the QB bust after Rodgers’ Week 1 Achilles tear. The Jets ranked 29th in scoring in 2022 and ’23, though Hackett’s attack was worse in yardage (31st) and EPA per play (32nd). Robert Saleh sought to strip power from Hackett during the 2024 offseason, but a stealth search for a de facto OC failed. Saleh was planning to demote Hackett early that season, but the Jets fired their head coach. The team removed Hackett from play-calling duty anyway, giving the play sheet to QBs coach Todd Downing.

It is not known which external minority candidate the Cardinals interviewed; teams must interview one external minority before filling OC or DC posts. Regardless, Hackett (46) will receive yet another chance. He will provide an experienced voice for Mike LaFleur, 38, but his Denver and New York work brings obvious concerns.

Hackett was at the controls for a surprisingly effective 2017 Jaguars offense — one that reached the Super Bowl LII precipice — but he is mostly known for recent failures. He will presumably have a say in how the Cardinals proceed at quarterback, as Kyler Murray is far from certain to enter an eighth season as the team’s QB.

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Dolphins To Hire Nathaniel Hackett

By | at January 29, 2026 5:26 pm

Nathaniel Hackett‘s stock took a tumble for a few years, as his disastrous Broncos HC season preceded a Jets OC tenure that brought a demotion. But the second-generation NFL staffer is moving back up the ladder.

After a season back in Green Bay in an analyst role, Hackett will be called upon as a quarterbacks coach. The Dolphins are expected to hire him in this capacity, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano tweets. Hackett worked with new Dolphins HC Jeff Hafley for a season in Green Bay.

Hackett’s arrival may not go over too well in Miami, as few coaches have seen their standing drop more this decade. The former Packers OC was fired 15 games into his Broncos HC tenure, and after landing the Jets’ OC job (due in no small part to the Jets’ interest in bringing Aaron Rodgers to New York), Hackett did not complete that stay as the team’s play-caller. New York demoted Hackett from that role during the 2024 season. Hackett will now work under Dolphins play-caller Bobby Slowik, either coaching Tua Tagovailoa or a to-be-determined QB1 replacement.

The Broncos’ Hackett hire preceded a trade for Russell Wilson. The partnership sputtered, with a host of clunky outings leading to Hackett demoting himself as play-caller. Hackett gave the play sheet to QBs coach Klint Kubiak, but as Wilson exerted tremendous influence in terms of preparation and the nature of the Broncos’ offense, the team fired its coach after 15 games. The Broncos finished last in scoring offense despite authorizing Wilson’s $49MM-per-year extension, but the Jets hired Hackett soon after. Although Hackett delivered on Rodgers becoming receptive to joining the Jets, his stock tanked in the Big Apple.

Hackett’s first season featured mostly Zach Wilson at the controls, and it went bad enough Robert Saleh conducted a stealth search for a veteran staffer who would oversee his OC in 2024. No hire commenced, and Hackett entered the ’24 season as the Jets’ play-caller. Not long after the Jets’ Saleh firing, they removed Hackett from play-calling duties. Wilson is technically still under contract with the Dolphins, but the backup QB’s deal expires in March.

While Hackett was also OC in Buffalo and Jacksonville, his most successful NFL period came as Matt LaFleur‘s non-play-calling OC from 2019-21. The Packers earned three straight playoff byes, and Rodgers won MVP honors in 2020 and ’21. Rodgers has long endorsed Hackett, to the point he is believed to have interceded when Woody Johnson wanted him gone after one Jets OC season. The Dolphins will now entrust Hackett to coach their QBs. Perhaps with no play-calling duties, the Dolphins believe they will see a better version of Hackett than what the Broncos and Jets received.

Miami is also hiring former Green Bay quality control staffer Wendel Davis, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. The team is also adding Jahmile Addae as cornerbacks coach, according to ESPN.com’s Pete Thamel. Addae was most recently the Bills’ CBs coach.

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2026 NFL Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker

By | at January 20, 2026 9:00 am

The 2026 head coaching carousel has now seen 10 jobs open since the start of the offseason, as the Bills have fired Sean McDermott. HC firings generally lead to coordinator changes, and several other teams have proceeded with OC or DC moves to start their offseasons. Here are the current OC and DC searches transpiring. As the remaining HC searches conclude, more coordinator searches will be added to this list.

Updated 2-9-26 (9:40pm CT)

Offensive Coordinators

Arizona Cardinals (Out: Drew Petzing)

  • Nathaniel Hackett, quarterbacks coach (Dolphins): Hired

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Zac Robinson)

Baltimore Ravens (Out: Todd Monken)

Buffalo Bills (Out: Joe Brady)

  • Pete Carmichael Jr., senior offensive assistant (Broncos): Hire expected

Chicago Bears (Out: Declan Doyle)

Cleveland Browns (Out: Tommy Rees)

Denver Broncos (Out: Joe Lombardi)

  • Ronald Curry, quarterbacks coach (Bills): Interviewed
  • Brian Johnson, pass-game coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed
  • Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Promoted

Detroit Lions (Out: John Morton)

Kansas City Chiefs (Out: Matt Nagy)

  • Eric Bieniemy, running backs coach (Bears): Rehired

Las Vegas Raiders (Out: Greg Olson)

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Greg Roman)

Miami Dolphins (Out: Frank Smith)

New York Giants (Out: Mike Kafka)

New York Jets (Out: Tanner Engstrand)

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Kevin Patullo)

Pittsburgh Steelers (Out: Arthur Smith)

Seattle Seahawks (Out: Klint Kubiak)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Josh Grizzard)

Tennessee Titans (Out: Nick Holz)

Washington Commanders (Out: Kliff Kingsbury)

Defensive Coordinators

Arizona Cardinals (Out: Nick Rallis)

Baltimore Ravens (Out: Zach Orr)

Buffalo Bills (Out: Bobby Babich)

  • Jim Leonhard, defensive backs coach (Broncos): Hired

Cleveland Browns (Out: Jim Schwartz)

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Matt Eberflus)

Green Bay Packers (Out: Jeff Hafley)

Las Vegas Raiders (Out: Patrick Graham)

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Jesse Minter)

Miami Dolphins (Out: Anthony Weaver)

  • Sean Duggan, former linebackers coach (Packers): Hired
  • Clint Hurtt, defensive line coach (Eagles): Interviewed

New York Giants (Out: Shane Bowen)

New York Jets (Out: Steve Wilks)

Pittsburgh Steelers (Out: Teryl Austin)

San Francisco 49ers (Out: Robert Saleh)

  • Gus Bradley, assistant head coach (49ers): Interviewed
  • Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): Hired
  • Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator (Browns): Rumored candidate
  • Joe Woods, defensive backs coach (Raiders): Interviewed

Tennessee Titans (Out: Dennard Wilson)

Washington Commanders (Out: Joe Whitt)

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Nathaniel Hackett Joins Packers Staff

By | at July 24, 2025 7:55 pm

A familiar face is back with the Packers. Coach Matt LaFleur revealed today that former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is back with the organization in “an analyst role for our defense,” per Albert Breer of TheMMQB.

Hackett was once one of the bright, young offensive minds in the NFL. After cutting his teeth as the Bills offensive coordinator, he took the same role with the Jaguars in 2016. Jacksonville had a pair of dismal seasons during Hackett’s three years on the sideline, but their one successful campaign saw the offense finish the year ranked fifth in points scored.

He caught on with LaFleur’s new staff in Green Bay ahead of the 2019 season. Working alongside Aaron Rodgers, Hackett helped guide the Packers offense to three relatively successful seasons. This included a 2020 season where Green Bay led the league in points scored, and the team followed that up with a 10th-place showing in 2021. Rodgers also won back-to-back MVPs while playing in Hackett’s system.

That performance helped earn the coach his first (and, at the moment, only) head coaching gig in Denver, but things couldn’t have gone much worse. After guiding the Broncos to a 4-11 start, Hackett was fired from his role, making him only the fifth head coach since 1970 to not make it through a full season with his new club. Still, his relationship with Rodgers helped get him the OC job with the Jets in 2023.

We’re all familiar with how that went. Rodgers’ season-ending injury in 2023 helped buy Hackett another season, but when Jeff Ulbrich took over as interim HC following Robert Saleh‘s firing in 2024, the OC was stripped of his play-calling duties. Predictably, Hackett was let go by the end of the campaign.

Now, he’ll resurface in a familiar spot in Green Bay. It’s interesting that he’s been hired for a defensive role, although it’s not particularly rare in today’s day and age. Just last year, the Packers made a similar hire with Saleh, as the ousted Jets coach was hired to provide a defensive viewpoint to the team’s offense.

“I just think it’s a fresh perspective,” LaFleur said (via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky). “You kind of, especially when you take a defensive guy and put them on offense and vice versa, and offensive guy and defense, it gives you a little different lens to see it through and talk through. And so, he’s sitting in with all our, with our defensive staff, and he’s been in the linebacker room and kind of just going through the film and, you know, gives them a good offensive perspective.”

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2025 NFL Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker

By | at January 26, 2025 9:57 pm

Last year, half the league changed up at offensive and defensive coordinator. As most HC-needy teams have now filled their open positions, the coordinator carousel has accelerated. Here is how the market looks now. When other teams make changes, they will be added to the list.

Updated 2-21-25 (1:59pm CT)

Offensive coordinators

Chicago Bears (Out: Chris Beatty)

Cleveland Browns (Out: Ken Dorsey)

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Brian Schottenheimer)

Detroit Lions (Out: Ben Johnson)

  • John Morton, pass-game coordinator (Broncos): Hired

Houston Texans (Out: Bobby Slowik)

Jacksonville Jaguars (Out: Press Taylor)

Las Vegas Raiders 

New England Patriots (Out: Alex Van Pelt)

New Orleans Saints (Out: Klint Kubiak)

New York Jets (Out: Nathaniel Hackett)

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Kellen Moore)

  • Kevin Patullo, pass-game coordinator (Eagles): Promoted

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks (Out: Ryan Grubb)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Liam Coen)

Defensive coordinators

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Jimmy Lake)

Chicago Bears (Out: Eric Washington)

Cincinnati Bengals (Out: Lou Anarumo)

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Mike Zimmer)

Detroit Lions (Out: Aaron Glenn)

  • Larry Foote, inside linebackers coach (Buccaneers): Interviewed
  • Kelvin Sheppard, linebackers coach (Lions): Promoted

Indianapolis Colts (Out: Gus Bradley)

Jacksonville Jaguars (Out: Ryan Nielsen)

  • Anthony Campanile, linebackers coach/running game coordinator (Packers): Hired
  • Jonathan Cooley, pass-game coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
  • Patrick Graham, former defensive coordinator (Raiders): Interviewed 1/27
  • Daronte Jones, defensive pass-game coordinator (Vikings): Interviewed 1/27
  • Aubrey Pleasant, defensive pass-game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/28

Las Vegas Raiders 

New England Patriots (Out: DeMarcus Covington)

  • Ryan Crow, outside linebackers coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/21
  • Terrell Williams, defensive line coach (Lions): Hired

New Orleans Saints (Out: Joe Woods)

New York Jets (Out: Jeff Ulbrich)

  • Chris Harris, former defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator (Titans): Interviewed 1/29
  • Steve Wilks, former defensive coordinator (49ers): To be hired

San Francisco 49ers (Out: Nick Sorensen)

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Jets Notes: Johnson, Rodgers, Hackett

By | at December 20, 2024 10:05 pm

Thursday brought a strange revelation from Jets headquarters, bringing Madden into the strange role of roster determinations. Beyond the Jerry Jeudy near-trade quickly becoming one of the odder what-ifs in recent NFL history, the Jets may need to run through some other matters as they attempt to make quality GM and HC hires.

Some of the dysfunction reported does stem from Aaron Rodgers, who effectively kept Nathaniel Hackett employed as the team’s play-caller coming into the season. Before the Jets launched a stealth search for a coach who would cut into Hackett’s duties, The Athletic’s well-detailed Dianna Russini, Zack Rosenblatt and Michael Silver report indicates Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall expressed were not happy with the embattled OC throughout last season (subscription required). This may well have led to a meeting that helped the Rodgers-Woody Johnson relationship reach its present point.

Rumblings circulated that Johnson wanted to fire Hackett after the 2023 season, but Rodgers is believed to have stepped in to prevent that from happening. Rodgers has been close with Hackett since their Green Bay days, long stumping for the veteran OC. This included an offseason meeting with Johnson that “didn’t go over well” with the owner, per The Athletic. Rodgers had brought up this matter with Johnson. Months later, the owner attempted to have the QB benched.

Shortly after that benching effort, Johnson went around GM Joe Douglas and fired Robert Saleh. While Rodgers was accused of being complicit in that ouster, The Athletic notes the quarterback’s conversation with Johnson included a request the owner remain patient with the head coach. This also runs counter to Johnson’s claim the two did not discuss Saleh in that meeting. As could be expected, Rodgers had also told Saleh he disagreed with the then-HC’s decision to demote Hackett — a move interim HC Jeff Ulbrich ended up carrying out anyway.

Going back to Rodgers’ lost 2023 season, the Jets being mathematically eliminated in Week 14 had led Rodgers to cool down his crusade to return from his Achilles tear before season’s end and instead gear up for 2024. This involved continuing to rehab in Los Angeles, but The Athletic adds Johnson pushed the quarterback to come back to New York and return to practice. This prompted the Jets to use one of their injury activations on a player who did not end up playing again. Rodgers expressed disappointment he was activated as it cost fullback Nick Bawden a roster spot. Rodgers said during a Pat McAfee Show appearance the activation — which occurred in Week 16 — was not his idea.

Other strange quarterback incidents have occurred during Johnson’s recent years back from his role as ambassador to the United Kingdom. He is believed to have criticized then-starter Mike White in front of other players, following a Week 17 loss to the Seahawks in which White played through broken ribs. Allegedly saying, “You should throw your helmet; you f—– suck” in reference to White postgame, per Russini, Rosenblatt and Silver. Johnson later apologized to the QB once the owner’s comments eventually got back to him, per a Jets spokesperson. White left in free agency weeks later, leaving the Jets without veteran protection once Rodgers went down.

Postgame criticism from the Johnsons has not been isolated to quarterbacks, as The Athletic adds the owner’s teenage sons — Brick and Jack — were heard “loudly” criticizing multiple players after the Jets’ Week 17 loss to the Browns in 2023. In a separate matter related to access, Johnson also had members of his investment group at Jets draft and free agency meetings this year. These revelations, among others involving access to the team’s locker room, will not exactly endear the Jets to free agents.

Additionally, in a matter perhaps stranger than the Jeudy process, Johnson is believed to have told Douglas to keep the Jets’ Mr. Irrelevant draft choice (No. 257) and instead trade 256 to the Broncos. Denver had asked for No. 257 in the pick-swap trade for Zach Wilson, but the teams ended up finalizing a weeks-long negotiation in a trade that included No. 256 going from Denver to New York. This would be a rather shocking footnote for an eventful Jets year, as this report would have Johnson valuing Mr. Irrelevant-related publicity over a slightly better pick.

White and Wilson are long gone, while Rodgers is viewed as on his way out. But the 2024 Jets draft also included another quarterback, Jordan Travis, chosen in the fifth round. This will amount to a redshirt season for the Florida State alum, who has been on the reserve/NFI list throughout the season. Ulbrich said (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini) the ankle injury that altered the Seminoles’ CFP hopes last year remains an issue, indicating Travis has suffered setbacks in his recovery this year.

Unlike Hendon Hooker last year, Travis does not appear set to move onto his team’s active roster before season’s end. This would mean Travis’ contract would toll, extending his rookie deal through 2028. Travis has bigger hurdles to navigate in the short term, however.

Johnson is viewed as likely to stay with the Jets following this season. The news of Donald Trump’s second presidential administration tabbing someone else (banker Warren Stevens) as the UK ambassador surprised Johnson, according to The Athletic. The owner will continue to play the lead role in hiring a coach and GM, doing so after brother Christopher Johnson hired Douglas and Saleh. Some hesitation from candidates certainly could be part of the fallout from recent events becoming public.

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AFC East Notes: Reddick, Jets, Maye, Bills

By | at October 30, 2024 12:04 pm

Haason Reddick made his Jets debut last week, bringing an end to one of the longest holdouts in many years. Reddick pushed for a multiyear deal, believing the Jets reneged on their pledge to conduct true extension talks with him during the offseason. The Jets, however, had maintained they were not willing to discuss a long-term deal before their trade pickup began work in their defense. This led to a months-long standoff, being one of the contributing factors to the Jets’ 2-6 record. Reddick, who returned to the Jets after receiving an incentive-laden boost, played 26 defensive snaps as a backup in Week 8.

The Jets had made Reddick an offer to sweeten his 2024 compensation before the season started, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport noting the team’s proposal included $20MM for this year. The revised offer would have allowed the veteran edge rusher to recoup the fines he lost during training camp, though it is not known if this was a true raise from the $14.25MM salary he was due to make or another incentive package. Reddick, 30, turned that money down and continued to seek a trade. He has since regrouped with the Jets and will aim to secure solid terms as a 2025 free agent, but this holdout probably did not help him on that front.

Here is the latest from the AFC East:

  • The Jets have until Tuesday to trade Mike Williams, and all signs are pointing to a separation. No move is expected to occur until after the Jets’ Thursday-night Texans matchup, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes. Gang Green has been linked to shopping Williams since even before the Davante Adams trade, and the effort began in earnest after the team acquired the ex-Aaron Rodgers Green Bay target. Williams, 30, has generated interest from the Steelers, Saints and Chargers and likely among other teams as well. The Jets falling to 2-7 would make them surefire sellers, but for now, they are waiting to see the market crystallize and holding onto the trade chip.
  • Before Jets interim HC Jeff Ulbrich stripped Nathaniel Hackett of play-calling duties, Robert Saleh had informed the second-generation Jets OC he would be demoted. Prior to the since-fired HC’s directive, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes Hackett and Todd Downing had split game-planning responsibilities. They are continuing to do so, though it is now Downing who has final say on what goes in the game plan and what does not. The Jets are 0-3 with Downing calling plays, however, and remain in the same place they were (25th) in terms of scoring offense at the time Hackett was demoted.
  • As could be expected, the Jets are almost certain to pass on Ulbrich as the full-time HC if the team misses the playoffs, The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt offers. Considering Ulbrich is 0-3 in the interim role, it would take a dramatic turnaround to convince the organization to not go with an outside hire — as every team but the Raiders has since 2017 — rather than remove their current leader’s interim tag.
  • David Edwards has bounced back from a concussion-marred 2022 and a 2023 season spent as a Bills backup. Stepping in as Buffalo’s starting left guard this season, as the team moved Connor McGovern to center after cutting Mitch Morse, Edwards has played well. The former Super Bowl LVI starter has outperformed McGovern at the LG spot, per The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia, who adds Edwards could be moving toward an extension if he keeps this up. Pro Football Focus ranks Edwards just 44th among guards, but the 27-year-old blocker has started every game — after being a 17-game backup in 2023 — and has provided value on a two-year, $6MM deal.
  • Drake Maye is indeed in concussion protocol. Jerod Mayo confirmed that status Wednesday, making the No. 3 overall pick iffy for the Patriots‘ Sunday matchup against the Titans. A hit to the back of Maye’s head during a first-quarter scramble led Jacoby Brissett back into action in Week 8.
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Woody Johnson’s View Of Jets’ Jeff Ulbrich Improved Following 49ers Interest

By | at October 11, 2024 10:05 pm

Jeff Ulbrich was added to the Jets’ staff in 2021 as defensive coordinator, a role he held until this week. Now in place as New York’s interim head coach, Ulbrich has seen his stock within the organization rise over time.

The 47-year-old was not highly thought of by owner Woody Johnson after his first two years working under Robert Saleh. Ulbrich was a potential target of Johnson’s during the 2023 offseason with respect to coaching changes, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated notes (video link). Johnson’s view changed that winter, however, when 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan showed interest in Ulbrich as a potential San Francisco defensive coordinator replacement for DeMeco Ryans.

Ulbrich was blocked before an interview could take place that year, but he remained on the 49ers’ radar. As The Athletic’s Matt Barrows writes, San Francisco once again tried to “pry [Ulbrich] from New York” this February (subscription required). That renewed effort was unsuccessful, and the 49ers promoted Nick Sorenson to DC after Steve Wilks was dismissed. Now, Ulbrich – who spent his entire 10-year playing career in the Bay Area – is believed to be held in high regard by Jets players and staffers alike as he begins his first stint as an NFL head coach.

New York has ranked no worse than fourth in yards allowed since 2022, and the team’s total defense sits in the top five for the third time in the past four years. Ulbrich will retain play-calling duties on that side of the ball, and expectations will remain high as improvements on offense are sought out. Ulbrich followed through with Saleh’s intention of handing play-calling duties to Todd Downing, taking them away from offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett in the process.

“This is more a byproduct of a different take on things,” Ulbrich said of the decision (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini). “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.”

In addition to calling plays, Ulbrich confirmed Downing will have control over the offensive game plan moving forward. Hackett will still hold the title of OC, although this week’s changes will leave him with a notably reduced role. For Ulrich, the remainder of the campaign will prove to be an audition period as he attempts to stake his claim to the full-time Jets gig. Should New York go in a different direction this offseason, though, the 49ers would represent a team to watch closely regarding another pursuit.

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Jets Demote Nathaniel Hackett, Give Play-Calling Reins To Todd Downing

By | at October 10, 2024 9:59 pm

As Robert Saleh was planning to do, Jeff Ulbrich will demote Nathaniel Hackett. The second-year Jets offensive coordinator will no longer carry play-calling responsibilities.

Instead, quarterbacks coach and pass-game coordinator Todd Downing will take over. Ulbrich announced this change Thursday morning, and Hackett’s stock continues to nosedive in the years since his Packers OC tenure. This will be Downing’s third chance at calling plays for a team, as he did so as Raiders OC and Titans OC. Ulbrich will remain the Jets’ defensive play-caller.

The Jets had conducted a backchannel search for an assistant that would aid Hackett this offseason, contacting Arthur Smith about the unusual role. No official OC interviews occurred, and Hackett — who has continually received Aaron Rodgers endorsements despite his shaky resume — retained play-calling duties. But the Jets’ offense has not seen Rodgers’ return produce a substantial improvement. Considering Zach Wilson was primarily at the controls last season, these struggles played a central role in Saleh being fired.

Hackett’s offense, which ranked 29th in scoring and 31st in yardage last season, enters Week 6 ranked 25th and 27th in those categories. Breece Hall is averaging just three yards per carry, with the Jets ranking last in rushing. The second-generation NFL coach has taken heat for a lack of pre-snap motion, keeping an old-school West Coast Offense attack in place for Rodgers to run. Hackett, 44, had begun to lose respect in the locker room; Jets defenders were irked by the lack of accountability for the offense’s struggles.

Hackett, who saw his stock rise from his stay as a non-play-calling OC in Green Bay under Matt LaFleur, has proven overmatched at multiple stops this decade. This demotion continues one of the more memorable coaching freefalls in recent memory.

Fired as Jaguars OC during the 2018 season, Hackett rebounded with the Packers and beat out Dan Quinn to become Broncos HC in 2022. A shockingly disjointed offense defined that disastrous Denver campaign, which saw the team plummet from 21st to 32nd in scoring despite the blockbuster Russell Wilson trade. The Broncos fired Hackett after 15 games, making him the second HC since 1979 fired before his first season ended. Eyeing Rodgers, the Jets gave Hackett a lifeboat soon after. But Saleh’s hire did not produce desired results. With Rodgers back and not showing much of his MVP form following an Achilles tear, the Jets booted Saleh and are now giving the keys to Downing.

This represents a bounce-back opportunity for Downing, who saw a DUI during the 2022 season lead him out of Tennessee. The Titans canned Downing, 44, after the ’22 season brought a step back. The Titans dropped from 15th to 28th in scoring from 2021-22, though Ryan Tannehill‘s ankle injury — which cost the starter five games during the ’22 season — contributed heavily to that decline. That said, Downing was a one-and-done OC in Oakland. Jack Del Rio promoted his QBs coach to OC, replacing Bill Musgrave, in 2017. The end result: Del Rio’s firing and Downing returning to his hometown Vikings as tight ends coach.

Derek Carr took a noticeable step back, despite Amari Cooper remaining on the Raiders’ roster, in 2017; that led to Mark Davis‘ restart around Jon Gruden. Downing joined Mike Vrabel‘s Titans staff in 2019, following the Smith trajectory by being bumped from TEs coach to OC. This Jets gig will present far more pressure, however, as an all-in team with jobs on the line will rely on Downing to inject some life into an offense that has stagnated.

The Jets, who are retaining Hackett on staff, scored just nine points against the Broncos and fell behind 17-0 against the Vikings. Meanwhile, the Saleh- and Ulbrich-coached defense ranks fifth in scoring and second in yardage. After Saleh fell on his sword, Ulbrich will be tasked with re-routing the 2-3 team’s course. The team faces the Bills for a shot at the division lead Monday. Suddenly, Downing holds the keys to the Jets’ Rodgers-centric plan being salvaged.

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Jets’ Robert Saleh Planned To Strip Nathaniel Hackett Of Play-Calling Duties

By | at October 8, 2024 9:59 pm

Robert Saleh was fired on Tuesday, but the Jets’ head coaching change was not the only major shake-up which was discussed. The status of offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was set to change not long before Saleh’s dismissal.

The fourth-year head coach was “seriously contemplating” the idea of firing Hackett, per a report from CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. That decision may have come as early as Tuesday, but given the events which have since taken place that is of course no longer possible. Hackett’s job is safe, although his role could still be altered soon.

[RELATED: Woody Johnson Denies Rodgers Had Role In Saleh Firing]

Refuting Jones’ report, SNY’s Connor Hughes states firing Hackett was never actually on the table. He and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk add that Saleh was, however, planning on stripping the much-maligned OC of his play-calling duties ahead of Week 6. Had Saleh followed through with that plan, passing game coordinator Todd Downing would have called plays with Hackett remaining on New York’s staff. The latter has faced questions throughout his New York tenure, with the team having sought out an offensive staffer to oversee him this offseason.

It was later learned former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith was one of the coaches who was contacted by the Jets about such a role. He declined the team’s interest before ultimately taking the Steelers’ OC gig. That left Hackett – a close friend of quarterback Aaron Rodgers who enjoyed a successful run with him in Green Bay – in charge of an offense which struggled mightily in 2023. Rodgers’ Week 1 Achilles tear gave the coaching staff (along with general manager Joe Douglas) a mulligan for the current season, but things have not gone according to plan so far on offense.

A healthy Rodgers (at least, aside from the low ankle sprain he suffered on Sunday and the knee injury he dealt with from the week prior) led to renewed expectations for Hackett’s unit. The Jets rank 23rd in offensive DVOA so far, though, compared to a 12th-place ranking on defense by the same metric. Optimism for improvement did not exist amongst players or coaches if Hackett remained in charge of the offense, and owner Woody Johnson has been critical of the ex-Broncos head coach’s recent performances. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich did not immediately say who will handle play-calling duties as he takes over the 2-3 team.

If Downing were to be tapped for that role, he would be in position to lead an offense for the first time since his Titans tenure ended in 2022. The 44-year-old was retained by the organization following a November DUI arrest in that year, but he was fired at the end of the campaign. Tennessee ranked mid-pack in scoring and total offense in 2021, but the following year the team dropped to 30th and 28th, respectively, in those departments. Downing was nevertheless able to quickly land his current gig with the Jets, and he could be in line for added responsibilities.

With Saleh being fired minutes after his play-calling plan had been made known, per Hughes’ report, it will certainly be interesting to see if Ulbrich carries it out. If Hackett does retain control of the offense, though, he will no doubt face increased scrutiny as the Jets attempt to pivot from the Saleh era to the playoffs.

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