Jets OC served as 'facilitator' in getting Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett discussed his role in Aaron Rodgers' decision to leave the Green Bay Packers for Gang Green this spring. 

"It was just really having Aaron get to know everybody else," Hackett explained during the latest edition of the New York Post's "Gang’s All Here" podcast, per the Post's Brian Costello. "Aaron knows me. He knows how I work. He knows how I am in the meetings, how I am on gamedays. We know everything about each other. I know him. He knows me."

Hackett first served as Rodgers' offensive coordinator with the Packers from 2019 through the 2021 season but left Green Bay to become head coach of the Denver Broncos in January 2022. It was widely thought at the time that Denver hired Hackett in part to convince Rodgers to join the Broncos that offseason, but the future Hall of Famer instead signed an extension with the Packers.  

Hackett's stint with the Broncos ended before he completed a full season with the organization, but the Jets happily hired him in January. ESPN's Dan Graziano reported back on March 7 that Hackett was among the Jets team officials who flew to California to meet with Rodgers about possibly playing home games at MetLife Stadium later this year.  

"I think it was more just being a facilitator, making sure everybody’s questions were asked and answered so that with that short period of time we could come to a consensus of what was best for the organization and for Aaron," Hackett said about his part in such discussions. "I think that was so important to me. It didn’t have anything to do with me. It had to do with Aaron and this organization. That’s it."

Hackett has acknowledged he expects Rodgers and company will endure "some growing pains" as they work to build chemistry, but the 43-year-old sounds ready to help make the transition as easy as possible for the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player. 

"For me, I have fun every day," Hackett said about his coaching style. "I know how lucky I am to have this opportunity, any opportunity, anywhere in the NFL. It’s an unbelievable profession. It’s not a great business unfortunately but it is a great profession. To be able to be with those guys every day, I go in there and it’s about trying to spice things up, get guys excited about different plays."

Keeping Rodgers "happy" from early September through at least January could prove to be the most important part of Hackett's job as it pertains to the 2023 season.