Nathaniel

Hackett

As we now know, Smith didn’t take the role, instead landing the offensive coordinator job with the Steelers. ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio later learned that part of the reason Smith didn’t take the job with the Jets was “because the role wasn’t clear.” On the one hand, it’s not surprising to learn that the Jets sought out an assistant for Hackett, whose struggles have been amplified since his one-and-done season as head coach of the Broncos in 2022. Hackett was brought in last season at the request of Aaron Rodgers, who has continuously stuck by the OC due to their previous relationship at Green Bay. Hackett, along with head coach Robert Saleh, both enter this season on the hot seat after any hopes of success in 2023 were dashed by Rodgers’ Achilles injury. Assuming Rodgers is healthy and playing well, Hackett should be fine. However, if things start to go awry, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Saleh turn over play-calling duties to someone else. The Jets’ first training camp practice is scheduled for July 24.

The report suggests that Jets head coach Robert Saleh has lost some faith in Hackett after he failed to adapt the offense following the injury to Aaron Rodgers. Hackett, who is friendly with Rodgers and was reportedly hand-selected to lead the Jets offense, was criticized for his stewardship of the offense and “multiple coaches and players described Hackett as lacking in attention to detail.” Jets star receiver Garrett Wilson also said after the season, “We’ve gotta make adjustments in the game, we’ve gotta do things to counter what we’re getting.” The Jets ranked last in third down conversions, red zone offense and total offensive EPA. They also finished 31st in total yards, 30th in offensive points per game and 30th in passing yards while scoring just 18 offensive touchdowns in 17 games. It makes sense to bring in some new voices.

This means both general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh are safe for at least one more year, barring a surprise change of heart from Johnson. Rapoport added that even offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett will return for the 2024 season. The Jets were dealt an unwinnable hand with Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles injury a few snaps into the season, though a better investment at backup quarterback could have helped mitigate the damage. Either way, this didn’t get to see their Rodgers experiment play out and will get their chance to do so in 2024. If the season isn’t a rebounding success, we expect Johnson to clean house and start fresh.

Hackett emerged as an unexpected candidate for the Jets’ offensive coordinator position after a less-than-stellar stay in Denver. The one-and-done head coach went 4-11 as the Broncos head coach, with his team finishing dead last in points per game (16.9) and 12th in yards per game (325.1). Hackett helped lead the Packers to top-10 offensive seasons in his final two years with the team but has had underwhelming stops in Buffalo and Jacksonville. Now, he’ll be tasked with turning around a Jets offense that is loaded with young offensive talent but in desperate need of a quarterback. It’s quite possible the hiring of Hackett will be used to help lure Aaron Rodgers to the Big Apple if he opts to return in 2023.

The Jets fired Mike LaFleur and could replace him with one of the least inspiring hires in recent NFL history. Hackett was fired as Denver’s head coach after the team started 3-8 with one of the league’s least productive, most uncreative offense schemes. Though Hackett had some success with Blake Bortles as the Jaguars OC in 2017, it’s hard to imagine he’ll be the guy to revive Zach Wilson’s fledgling career. There’s always the possibility, however slim, that Hackett will be used as bait for Aaron Rodgers, just as he was when the Broncos hired him last winter.

Hackett’s tenure with the Broncos last longer than most expected after the team went into December with a 3-8 record and an offense that was one of the worst in the league. If being one of the first teams in the league to be officially eliminated from playoff contention wasn’t embarrassing enough, Hackett’s Broncos were dismantled 51-14 on Christmas day by a Rams team that featured several reserves on both sides of the ball and forced three interceptions of $245 million quarterback Russell Wilson. After leading two top-10 scoring seasons in Green Bay, the former Packers offensive coordinator leaves a Broncos team that’s currently ranked 32nd in points per game (15.5) and 26th in offensive yards per game (316.6).

The Broncos’ offense has been a complete disaster with Hackett calling plays. They rank dead last in points per game and 28th in EPA per play. Russell Wilson carries at least as much blame as Hackett, but there are a few spots that better play-calling could help. Denver currently ranks dead last in third-down conversion rate and red zone touchdown rate. Kubiak previously called plays during his lone season as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator in 2021. Minnesota ranked 13th in points per game last year.

Hackett has been at the center of the Broncos’ 2-5 start, with Denver leading the league in penalties and ranking last in points per game (14.3). The Broncos have lost four straight under Hackett, a stretch that’s produced just five touchdowns. The Broncos’ new ownership wasn’t in place when Hackett was hired, leading to speculation Hackett will only get one season in Denver. With DC Ejiro Evero lurking as an interim option, a midseason firing is in play for Hackett. A loss to the Jaguars in London could lead to changes going into Denver’s bye

Hackett was quoted earlier in the week saying the team needed “more efficient decisions” on game day, and it appears he is taking action on those words. Rosburg served as the special teams coordinator for the Ravens from 2008-2018. He will now be in the coaching box on Sunday with a direct line to Hackett, in charge of “overall team operation and team management.” It’s a step in the right direction for the floundering Broncos.

The Broncos were once again terrible in the red zone, and their clock management has been epically bad. The Broncos crowd took to chanting the play clock as it expired, like basketball fans chanting the shot clock. Hackett, a first-time play caller, seems to be genuinely struggling with play-calling duties, with the offense repeatedly shooting itself in the foot over the first two weeks. Facing the 49ers in Week 3, the Broncos needs to work out a bucket full of kinks in practice this week.