Report: Jets Wanted Hackett to Take Back Seat as OC

A somewhat surprising report has emerged out of the land of the New York Jets thanks to beat writer Conner Hughes of SNY who says the team was less than thrilled with offensive coordinator Nate Hackett.

Per Hughes, Gang Green was looking to add a new coach to their staff who wouldn’t have the title of offensive coordinator, but who would oversee the offense while Hackett retained his current title.

The exact comment from Hughes was as follows with the full article right here:

The Jets made legitimate attempts this offseason to hire someone who would, essentially, replace Hackett. Not as a new offensive coordinator, but a title above who would run the show.

Anyone who watched the Broncos in 2022 and Jets in 2023 shouldn’t be surprised to hear the Jets haven’t been thrilled with Hackett.  And while having a quarterback who can essentially “overrule” Hackett at the line of scrimmage, it’s not as if Aaron Rodgers is a lock to play sixteen games.

Should the soon-to-be 41-year-old Rodgers miss time at any point in 2024, Hackett might be asked to call plays that will actually see the light of day.  Surely a scary thought for Robert Saleh and company.

Hackett’s hire was likely based more on luring Aaron Rodgers to 1 Jets Drive than it was on his ability to call plays, which is why it shouldn’t come as much surprise to hear the team was hoping to replace him prior to the start of the 2024 season.