The New York Jets continued to make adjustments to the teaching employees within the aftermath of Robert Saleh’s firing earlier this week.
Quarterbacks coach and passing sport coordinator Todd Downing will change offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett because the workforce’s playcaller, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich introduced Thursday.
“After loads of time to consider it — and didn’t make this resolution simply, by any means — I will make Todd Downing the playcaller for the New York Jets going ahead,” Ulbrich advised reporters. “That is extra the byproduct for a distinct tackle issues. I am not saying it is a greater or worse tackle issues, by any means — however a recent method. In the end, Todd could have the complete say on the sport plan and, in the end, the performs which can be referred to as inside the sport.”
A Hackett demotion had been rumored in latest days, even after Saleh was fired. New York’s offense has arguably been the principle motive for its 2-3 begin, rating twenty seventh in whole offense (286.6 yards per sport) and twenty fifth in scoring (18.6 factors per sport) regardless of Aaron Rodgers‘ return from his Achilles harm.
Ulbrich provided some effusive phrases about Hackett though he’s demoting him.
“Simply one other testomony to the human being that Nathaniel Hackett is, the truth that he will give us all the pieces in his physique, coronary heart and soul,” Ulbrich mentioned. “He’ll proceed to be a giant a part of the success that we’ll have going ahead from an offensive perspective. I really feel so lucky that he is staying with us. I imply, here is a man that is been a head coach on this league keen to attract playing cards, keen to do no matter it takes — the true coronary heart of a servant.Â
“I really feel so lucky that he is on our employees, that he is in our lives, and I can not communicate sufficient good issues about him.”
Hackett was employed by New York early within the 2023 offseason, months earlier than the workforce traded for Rodgers. The embellished quarterback has sung Hackett’s praises since their time along with the Inexperienced Bay Packers, the place Hackett was the offensive coordinator for 3 seasons (2021-23).
After a failed stint as head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2022, Hackett wasn’t capable of finding success with the Rodgers-less Jets in 2023. They have been thirty first in whole offense (268.6 yards per sport) and twenty ninth in scoring (15.8 factors per sport) final season.
Ulbrich mentioned he knowledgeable Rodgers of the choice and that the quarterback understood the change.Â
“It wasn’t essentially a shock, however we’re all conversant in the connection he has with Nathaniel,” Ulbrich mentioned. “They’re very, excellent associates that return an extended methods. He understood the choice and he was supportive of the choice, and I am lucky for that. I talked to him, I talked to loads of completely different offensive gamers, and defensive gamers for that matter, earlier than making this resolution.”
Why did the Jets fireplace Robert Saleh so abruptly?
Downing, 44, has had a number of offensive coordinator stints over his 20 seasons as an NFL assistant coach. He was OC for the then-Oakland Raiders in 2017 earlier than serving because the Tennessee Titans‘ OC for 2 seasons (2021-22). The Jets employed Downing in 2023 after the Titans fired him following the 2022 season.
On the opposite aspect of the ball, Ulbrich mentioned he would stay the playcaller on protection. Ulbrich has been the Jets’ defensive coordinator since 2021, with Saleh bringing him in when he was employed as head coach.Â
The Jets’ revamped teaching employees has a giant opening check, taking up the first-place Buffalo Payments on Monday night time.Â
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