Jets Make Another Big Change After Firing Coach Robert Saleh

The notable changes along the Jets’ coaching staff continued Thursday morning.

Jeff Ulbrich, who became New York’s interim head coach after Robert Saleh was fired Tuesday, informed reporters that Nathaniel Hackett was relieved of offensive play-calling duties. Passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Todd Downing will take over the role starting Monday night when the Jets host the rival Buffalo Bills for a Week 6 matchup.

Hackett losing the important responsibility, which Saleh reportedly had planned before he was fired, was a warranted decision. New York ranked in the bottom eight in the NFL in both points per game and yards per game after five weeks despite featuring an offense loaded with talent. That said, Hackett’s demotion still was a bit surprising given his close connection with star signal-caller Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers, who won back-to-back NFL MVP Awards with Hackett as his offensive coordinator in Green Bay, “understood and the supported the decision” to transition to Downing, per Ulbrich. Downing, who’s been coaching in the NFL since 2006, was hired by the Jets two months before the franchise traded for Rodgers last year.

As for Hackett, the bump from play-calling marked another career lowlight in a short span. The 44-year-old was responsible for one of the worst head-coaching tenures in league history, which saw him not make it through a full season with the 2022 Denver Broncos.