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It’s an open secret around the New York Jets that offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is not in the just because he’s the most qualified candidate but because of his friendship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. That was the case when they hired Hackett before landing Rodgers and it remains so over a year later.
Since the start of the year, there have been an increasing number of reports about how the Jets plan to handle the Hackett situation, as firing him would risk upsetting their 40-year-old signal-caller.
First, in February, The Athletic reported that the organization “lost confidence in [Hackett’s] ability to run the offense on his own” and was looking for a way to demote him heading into the 2024 season, such as “legitimate attempts to hire someone who would, essentially, replace Hackett.”
Now, with the Jets just set to report to training camp in just a few weeks, The Athletic has revealed that the team spoke with new Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith about joining the staff and “being part of the playcalling process.” The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini also reports that Rodgers was made aware of these discussions.
“Hackett, the former Denver Broncos coach, ended last season under scrutiny after leading an offense that, after losing Rodgers just four snaps into the year to a torn Achilles, ranked 31st in yards per game, last in total touchdowns and third in turnovers.”
Russini also provided an update on Rodgers’ relationship with head coach Robert Saleh after Saleh publicly stated that his trip to Egypt was an “unexcused absence.”
“Rodgers went to Saleh after that to question why he would call it unexcused. According to Russini, the head coach and his quarterback ironed things out and ‘everyone’s great now.'”
Rodgers and the rest of the New York Jets will begin training camp on Wednesday, July 24.