Jets HC Robert Saleh addresses Nathaniel Hackett situation

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh insisted while speaking with reporters on Wednesday that he has "a lot of faith in" much-maligned offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett despite the fact that the New York offense routinely failed to produce positive results after quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles early into the regular-season opener. 

"Through tape, seen a lot of improvement, and I’m not going to get into the stats," Saleh explained, as shared by the Jets' website. 

Saleh did mention that the Jets scored 30 points twice across their past four games. 

ESPN stats show that New York heads into Week 18 ranked 31st in the NFL in overall offense with an average of 269.5 yards per contest and 29th with an average of 15.7 points scored per game. To compare, the Jets are fifth in yards surrendered per matchup (303.1). 

Such lackluster offensive numbers coupled with Saleh's woeful 17-33 record as Jets head coach have many believing team owner Woody Johnson should make organizational changes shortly after this Sunday's regular-season finale at the New England Patriots. It's assumed Johnson will retain Saleh, Hackett and others due to their relationships with Rodgers. 

Rodgers first had Hackett as a coordinator when both were with the Green Bay Packers from 2019 through the 2021 season. 

"He’s adapted a lot over the past," Saleh added about Hackett. "I know it’s to the naked eye, but there’s been a lot of adaptation over the last half of the year with all the motions, and all the screens and all the gadget plays. I just got a lot of confidence in the way he relates to people, communicates with people, the energy that he’s kept throughout the season, despite all the adversity. I do have a lot of faith in him." 

General manager Joe Douglas not acquiring a temporary starting quarterback better than 2021 first-round draft pick Zach Wilson this past fall could haunt Jets fans throughout this offseason. 

Douglas and company likely won't make a similar mistake in 2024, but Hackett may spend the next nine months hoping Rodgers stays healthy for more than four offensive snaps this coming September.