CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 28: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets looks on prior to playing the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
The New York Jets are reportedly demoting Aaron Rodgers’ close friend and favorite coach as the soap opera in Gotham continues…
According to a report from Dianna Russini and Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, the Jets plan to retain Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator. However, head coach Robert Saleh is apparently considering using multiple offensive play-callers which would ultimately “reduce” the role of Hackett:
“Hackett will return as the offensive coordinator in 2024, though team and league sources say Saleh has explored adding to the offensive staff and creating a more collaborative play-calling process that would reduce Hackett’s role, a clear indication the team has lost confidence in his ability to run the offense on his own. Rodgers has been involved in those discussions.”
Nathaniel Hackett will return as the #Jets OC in 2024, though Robert Saleh has explored adding to the offensive staff and creating a more collaborative play-calling process that would reduce Hackett’s role, per sources.Changes could be coming…https://t.co/btTOCgqIX5
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 31, 2024
Hackett was the Green Bay Packers’ offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2021, with Rodgers winning back-to-back MVP awards in 2020 and 2021. Hackett accepted the Denver Broncos’ head coaching vacancy in 2022, but he was fired after a miserable 4-11 start.
The Jets brought in Hackett to serve as their new OC before completing the trade for Rodgers ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Unfortunately, Rodgers’ 2023 season ended minutes into his Jets debut when he suffered a torn Achilles against the Buffalo Bills. The Jets finished 7-10 for the second straight year, increasing the league’s longest active playoff drought to 14 years.