Aaron Rodgers’ long-time offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett didn’t follow fired Jets head coach Robert Saleh out the door this week, but he still effectively received a demotion from his new interim boss.
Jeff Ulbrich, Saleh’s provisional replacement and New York’s defensive coordinator, has stripped Hackett of his play-calling duties, he announced Thursday. In Hackett’s place, quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Todd Downing will be given the full reigns of the offense.
‘Regarding the staff, after a lot of time to think about it, and did not make this decision easily by any means, I’m going to make Todd Downing the play caller for the New York Jets going forward,’ Ulbrich told reporters Thursday.
‘This is more about a byproduct of a different take on things. I’m not saying it’s a better or worse take on things by any means – but just a different take on things, a fresh approach. So ultimately Todd will have the full say on the game plan and the plays that are called within the game.’
The good news for Jets fans, according to Ulbrich, is that Rodgers understands the decision and supports it.
New York Jets DC and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich made his first major move this week
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has been stripped of his play-calling duties
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But while Hackett’s effective demotion isn’t a surprise, the fact that he’ll hold onto his prestigious job title is.
‘You’re still the offensive coordinator, but you ain’t calling plays,’ Stephen A. Smith said on ESPN’s First Take. ‘I don’t understand it.’
Hackett was reportedly almost fired himself this week. Were it not for owner Woody Johnson’s decision to can Saleh on Tuesday, it would have been offensive coordinator and long-time Rodgers favorite who would have been canned, according to CBS Sports.
The report comes at a chaotic time for a Jets team that is quickly losing a grasp on any Super Bowl aspirations following Sunday’s 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
A week earlier, Hackett’s offense mustered only nine points in a deflating loss to the Denver Broncos – the same team that fired him after a 4-11 start in 2022.
He and Rodgers had previously worked together in Green Bay as the decorated quarterback won his third and fourth league MVP awards. But after Rodgers missed all but one offensive series due to injury in 2023, the two have failed to rekindle their success with the Jets in 2024.
Although he looked great against New England, Rodgers has otherwise struggled in in 2024
Jets have a new play caller: Todd Downing
Although he looked like his former self against the lowly New England Patriots in Week 3, Rodgers struggled in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers and during the team’s ongoing two-game losing skid.
The worst came on Sunday in London, where Rodgers was picked off three times by the Vikings and appeared to aggravate his surgically repaired right ankle. He is still expected to play Monday against the Buffalo Bills, when defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will make his debut as interim head coach.
At least for now, Hackett remains the Jets’ offensive coordinator, but that’s not because the team is wowing anyone on that side of the ball. While Ulbrich’s defense ranks second in yardage and fifth in sports, Hackett’s offense sits at 27th and 25th, respectively.
For comparison, the Jets ranked 31st and 25th in points last season as Rodgers recovered from his ruptured Achilles. Since then, the team has added former All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith, not to mention veteran right tackle Morgan Moses, but has little to show for the offseason moves.
Whether or not Downing can fix the offensive struggles in New Jersey are anyone’s guess.
A veteran NFL assistant coach with nearly two decades of experience working with league quarterbacks, Downing had been considered a rising head-coach candidate until a DUI arrest in 2022.
Downing was working as the Tennessee Titans’ offensive coordinator at the time and was coming home from the airport after a road win over the Packers. Initially he denied drinking, but ultimately admitted to officers that he’d had a ‘victory beer’ aboard the plane after the win.
Police video from Todd Downing’s 2022 drunk-driving arrest surfaced last year (pictured)
Police claim he was driving over 100mph at the time he was pulled over.
Downing also claimed he was rushing home to be with his family after receiving a threat.
‘I’m with the Titans,’ Downing stammered when interrogated by police in the driver’s seat of his car. ‘I got a death threat tonight. The Franklin police are outside my house. And I was trying to get home to my family.’
The officer acknowledged Downing’s concern before saying he smelled alcohol and asking the Titans assistant if he’s been drinking.
‘I have not,’ Downing said. ‘You can check with our security.’
Downing then failed the field sobriety tests after appearing to wobble while attempting to walk in a straight line. He ultimately served 48 hours in jail for the arrest.
