Jets hire coach with prominent ties to veteran QBs amid rumors

The New York Jets are pulling all the stops to land a veteran quarterback this offseason. On Super Bowl Sunday, a report emerged that indicated that the Jets inquired about a possible Aaron Rodgers trade this offseason. After the Jets hired former Packers coach Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator, they appeared to hedge their bets for other quarterback options besides Rodgers.

According to a report by Rich Cimini with ESPN, the Jets hired Todd Downing as their passing-game coordinator. Downing was the Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator during the 2022 season. Cimini points out that Downing has ties to two other quarterbacks:

“Downing, who was fired after the season, has ties to two quarterbacks who might be potential offseason targets for the Jets — the Titans’ Ryan Tannehill and the Las Vegas Raiders‘ Derek Carr.

"Downing was the Raiders’ quarterbacks coach in 2015 and 2016 and their coordinator in 2017 — three Pro Bowl years for Carr, who is expected to become a free agent this week.”

It certainly seems as though the Jets are bringing in assistants who could help lure a big-time veteran quarterback to New York. The Jets are full of talent, but their quarterback situation is a problem. Second-year quarterback Zach Wilson struggled during the 2022 season. He was benched for poor play during the season.

Head coach Robert Saleh has been open that he intends to land a veteran quarterback next season. Rodgers could very well be reunited with Hackett. For now, it’s unclear if the four-time MVP will play next season. Rodgers plans to go into a “darkness retreat” before he makes his final decision. The Jets are making plans in case their top target doesn’t pan out.