Nathaniel Hackett stripped of play-calling duties in another huge Jets change

Two days after changing into the Jets interim head coach, Jeff Ulbrich put his first stamp on the staff. Ulbrich introduced Thursday he had stripped offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett of play-calling duties.

Passing recreation coordinator Todd Downing will take over.

It’s a humiliating transfer for Hackett, who’s in his second 12 months as offensive coordinator after a disastrous one-year stint as Broncos coach.

It additionally displays poorly on quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has been Hackett’s largest champion.

The Jets employed Hackett in 2023 with the concept he might assist Rodgers to the staff.

Former Jets coach Robert Saleh had deliberate to make the identical transfer earlier than he was fired Tuesday, based on sources.

“After loads of time to consider it, I didn’t make this resolution simply by any means, I’m gonna make Todd Downing the play caller of the New York Jets going ahead,” Ulbrich stated. “That is extra of a by-product of a special tackle issues. I’m not saying it’s a greater or worse tackle issues by any means, only a completely different tackle issues, a contemporary strategy. Finally, Todd could have full say on the sport plan and, in the end, the performs which are referred to as within the recreation.”

The Jets offense has been terrible this season. They’re useless final in dashing yards per recreation and haven’t proven enchancment even with Rodgers at quarterback.

It’s a large motive why Saleh was fired.

Hackett and Rodgers are extraordinarily shut from their time in Inexperienced Bay, however Rodgers stated he understood why the transfer was being made.

“I knew there can be modifications after they let Robert go,” Rodgers stated. “I had conversations with [Ulbrich] over the 2 days. I knew that he was fascinated with it, leaning towards it. I instructed him I’d again him up no matter he determined.”

Ulbrich stated Hackett was upset however is prepared to do no matter is requested of him.

The Jets will not be stripping Hackett of the offensive coordinator title, and it seems like Ulbrich supplied him the possibility to both keep or go away the group if that’s what he wished.

“I really feel so lucky that he’s staying with us,” Ulbrich stated. “Right here’s a man who has been a head coach on this league and prepared to attract playing cards, prepared to do no matter it takes. I really feel so lucky that he’s on our employees and he’s in our lives.”

Downing, 44, has been with the Jets for the final two seasons. He was the offensive coordinator for the Raiders in 2017 and the Titans from 2021-22.

The Titans received worse yearly underneath Downing and he was fired following the 2022 season.

Tennessee was No. 2 within the NFL in 2020 underneath Arthur Smith however they sank to No. 17 in 2021 and No. 30 in 2022 underneath Downing.

There was additionally an off-field incident in Downing’s remaining 12 months in Tennessee. He was arrested for driving underneath the affect a couple of hours after a Titans win and later served 48 hours in jail.

Ulbrich stated the offense gained’t endure “wholesale” modifications however he seems like he needs the character of the offense to vary.

“For each Tennessee offense that I ever went in opposition to when Todd was the play caller there, they have been robust,” Ulbrich stated. “They have been ruthless. They completed. They ran the ball. They performed on their phrases. And there’s undoubtedly a method that appealed to me in the way in which.”

Downing will make his debut because the Jets play caller Monday evening in opposition to the Payments. Rodgers was requested what the Jets particularly must do higher.

“We’ve received to run the ball higher. I’ve received to play higher,” Rodgers stated. “We’ve received to be higher on first and second down.”

Rodgers stated the Jets have been plagued offensively by one participant not doing his job on every play.

“We’ve to be on the identical web page. I feel that’s been the largest factor,” Rodgers stated. “It’s been loads of 10 guys on the identical web page. Typically it’s been me, typically it’s been a again, typically it’s a receiver, typically offensive line. Simply too many instances. It’s onerous to win when solely 10 guys are doing it proper.”