Even with an occupied offensive workers, that didn’t cease the Jets from attempting to lure an intriguing candidate to Florham Park this offseason.
The Jets spoke with former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith a few function on their workers working with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett in January earlier than he joined the Steelers as their offensive coordinator, in accordance with a number of stories.
It’s unclear what precisely the job would’ve been, although given the connection between Hackett and Aaron Rodgers courting again to their Packers days, it probably wouldn’t have concerned calling performs.
Smith, who was fired by the Falcons in January after three seasons, wasn’t within the Jets function, partly due to its ambiguity, in accordance with ProFootballTalk.
From 2019-20, Smith was fruitful because the Titans’ offensive coordinator.
In that span, Smith led Tennessee’s offense — together with Derrick Henry, A.J. Brown and Ryan Tannehill — to the fourth-best mark in anticipated factors added (EPA) per play.
The outcomes adopted by way of accomplishments, with the Titans reaching the postseason in each years.
Subsequently, Smith was named the Falcons’ head coach, though neither offensive success nor successful adopted.
The Falcons went 7-10 throughout every of Smith’s three seasons on the helm, struggling mightily underneath heart by mixing and matching with an getting older Matt Ryan, Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke.
The Jets’ hopes of rekindling the magic between Rodgers and Hackett from Inexperienced Bay light rapidly after the 40-year-old tore his Achilles on the fourth play of the 2023 season.
Working as a substitute with Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian and Tim Boyle, the Jets offense concluded the 12 months twenty ninth in factors per sport and final in each EPA per play and success price.
With Rodgers again underneath heart alongside upgrades to the group’s receiver room and offensive line, the Jets are hopeful their offense can lastly proper the ship in 2024 — particularly after not ending within the high 12 in factors per sport since 2015.
Hackett, Rodgers and the Jets will start coaching camp on Tuesday.
