Well, the coaching carousal continues for the messy New York Jets.
That's because interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich didn't waste any time making a significant change, removing offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett from his play-calling duties, per the New York Post.
Todd Downing, the team's passing game coordinator, will now take the reins. It's a major shake-up, one that Hackett — already under fire after a disastrous year in Denver — won't soon forget.
Hackett was hand-picked by Aaron Rodgers, who championed his former Green Bay coordinator when the Jets hired him in 2023. The plan was simple: Hackett would help Rodgers lead New York back to relevance. But the results have been anything but. The Jets rank dead last in rushing yards per game, and the offense has been a mess all season. That, combined with head coach Robert Saleh's firing earlier this week, made Hackett the next domino to fall.
Ulbrich's decision to make the switch wasn't exactly a shock, given how poorly things have gone. In fact, Saleh had reportedly considered the same move before he was let go. But Ulbrich insisted this was more about a "fresh approach" than a direct criticism of Hackett's abilities.
As for Rodgers? He's been Hackett's biggest supporter, and the quarterback-coordinator connection runs deep. But Ulbrich said Rodgers was on board with the change. "He understood the decision and was supportive," Ulbrich noted, signaling that even Rodgers knows something needs to change if the Jets are going to salvage this season.
Hackett, for his part, has taken the demotion in stride. Ulbrich praised his professionalism, saying, "I feel fortunate that he's staying with us." But let's be real — this is a humbling moment for Hackett. It's one thing to lose a head coaching gig in Denver. It's another to lose control of the offense in the very system you were brought in to lead.
Now the ball is in Downing's hands, and the pressure is on. The Jets' season is teetering, and without a drastic turnaround, Hackett won't be the only one facing a long NFL road ahead.
