Two days after becoming Jets interim head coach, Jeff Ulbrich put his first stamp on the team. Ulbrich announced Thursday that offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has been stripped of his play-calling duties.
Passing game coordinator Todd Downing will take over the position.
It’s a humiliating move for Hackett, who is in his second year as offensive coordinator after spending one year as the Broncos’ coach.
It also reflects poorly on quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was Hackett’s biggest champion.
The Jets hired Hackett in 2023 with the idea that he could help Rodgers with the team.
Former Jets coach Robert Saleh was planning to do the same before being fired Tuesday, sources said.
“After much thought, I have made a decision that has never been easier: I will make Todd Downing the play-caller for the New York Jets going forward,” Ulbrich said. “This is more of a byproduct of different views on things. I’m not saying it’s in any way a better or worse interpretation of things, it’s just a different interpretation of things, a fresh approach. Ultimately, Todd will have complete say in the game plan and ultimately the plays called in the game.”
The Jets’ offense has been terrible this season. They were last in rushing yards per game and showed no improvement with Rodgers at quarterback.
This is a big reason why Saleh was fired.
Hackett and Rodgers were very close during their time in Green Bay, but Rodgers said he understands why the move was made.
“I knew there would be a change after they let Robert go,” Rodgers said. “I had a conversation. [Ulbrich] For two days. I knew he was thinking about it and leaning into it. I told him I would support him no matter what he decided.”
Ulbrich said Hackett was disappointed but was willing to do whatever was asked of him.
The Jets won’t strip Hackett of his offensive coordinator title, and it sounds like Ubrich has offered him the opportunity to remain with the organization or leave if he wants.
“We feel very fortunate to have him with us,” Ulbrich said. “Here’s a guy who’s been a head coach in this league and is willing to pull the card and willing to do whatever it takes. “We feel so lucky to have him on our staff and in our lives.”
Downing, 44, has played for the Jets the past two seasons. He was the offensive coordinator for the Raiders in 2017 and the Titans in 2021-22.
The Titans got worse every year under Downing, and he was fired after the 2022 season.
Tennessee was second in the NFL in 2020 under Arthur Smith, but fell to 17th in 2021 and 30th in 2022 under Downing.
Downing’s final year at Tennessee also saw off-field incidents. He was arrested for drunk driving just hours after the Titans won and spent the next 48 hours in jail.
Ulbrich said he doesn’t think the crime will change “wholesale,” but it sounds like he wants the nature of the crime to change.
“When Todd was out there calling the plays, they were tough against every Tennessee offense I played against,” Ulbrich said. “They were ruthless. They are done. They ran the ball. They played on their own terms. And in that respect, there is definitely a style that I like.”
Downing is scheduled to debut as the Jets’ play-caller on Monday night against the Bills. Rodgers was asked what specifically the Jets need to do better.
“We need to get the ball rolling better. I have to play better,” Rodgers said. “We have to be better in rounds one and two.”
Rodgers said the Jets were struggling offensively with one player not doing his job on each play.
“We have to be on the same page. I think that’s the biggest thing,” Rodgers said. “There were a lot of 10 people on the same page. Sometimes it was me, sometimes it was the backs, sometimes it was the receivers, sometimes it was the offensive line. Too much. If only 10 people play well, it’s hard to win.”
