Jets not planning to fire OC Nathaniel Hackett

Considering Hackett’s ties to Aaron Rodgers, this is unsurprising. The Jets have gone through interesting efforts to curb Hackett’s power, however, having made an effort to hire an assistant who would limit the ex-Packers OC’s reach in the building. That plan did not come to fruition, and Hackett is calling plays for the Jets for a second straight season.

That said, Hackett's survival may have caught some in the organization by surprise. Rather than Saleh being in jeopardy of losing his job post-London, SNY’s Connor Hughes notes some suspected Hackett to be closer to the chopping block. Jets front-office figures have been scrutinizing Hackett’s work recently, Hughes adds.

Hackett is no stranger to in-season firings. The Jaguars removed him from his OC post during the 2018 season. More memorably, the Broncos made him one of the few first-year HCs in NFL history to be fired before his first season ended. Hackett’s disastrous Denver stint lasted all of 15 games. 

The Jets, however, hired him to call plays soon after. The move certainly had an impact on the team acquiring Rodgers, who was near retirement at the time Hackett signed on to call Jets plays.

Scrutiny aside, Hackett has the backing of Rodgers, effectively an organizational power broker given his importance to this Jets regime’s chances of sticking around beyond 2024. Seemingly, the only chance that happens is if interim HC Jeff Ulbrich leads a turnaround. 

Hackett’s tie to Rodgers, stemming from three seasons as a non-play-calling Green Bay OC, has proved strong enough to stabilize — to a degree, at least — the second-generation NFL coach’s career.

The Jets’ Zach Wilson offense fared worse under Hackett than it did with Mike LaFleur calling the plays. The Jets’ 10 touchdowns through 12 games last season represented the fewest in that period to start a season since 2000. New York ranked 29th in scoring and 31st in total offense last season. Even with Rodgers back this year, Hackett’s West Coast offense-based attack sits 25th in points and 27th in yards.