Getty Image
Earlier in the offseason, it was reported that the New York Jets explored whether or not they could hire a coach that would effectively undermine current offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
The reason the Jets would go through such an absurd measure instead of just firing Hackett is because he’s one of quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ BFFs, meaning canning him would risk angering the 40-year-old longtime professional.
Speaking to the media this week, Jets head coach Robert Saleh was asked about this report and gave perhaps the worst vote of confidence you’ve ever heard, at least as far as head coaches are concerned.
Instead of signaling unity and saying something like “I believe in Nathaniel Hackett,” a terse Saleh instead told reporters that he “addressed all that stuff at the owners’ meeting so I’m not going to rehash that.”
When the reporter asking the question pointed out that the report he was referring to came out after the owners’ meetings were held, Saleh again repeated that it was “rehashed from the owners’ meeting.”
Qx by @jetswhispers to Robert Saleh regarding the report the Jets were looking into a replacement for Hackett.
Saleh wasn’t biting #jetup pic.twitter.com/GOg15FtoKR— jamie stuart (@jamiestuartTV) May 21, 2024
Despite having a famously poor season as the Denver Broncos head coach in 2022 and those within his own building doubting his ability to do his job, Hackett is set to remain the Jets’ OC heading into a crucial 2024 season that’ll likely see Saleh, Hackett, and Rodgers all playing/coaching to keep their jobs — Rodgers acknowledged as much during his own press conference earlier this week.
Heading into the 2024 campaign — speaking of campaigns, Rodgers said he turned down the change to be RFK Jr’s running mate because he didn’t want to give up football — the Jets will be looking to end a postseason drought that began back in 2010, making it the longest playoff drought in American professional sports.