Robert Saleh was preparing to fire offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett before he lost his job as the head coach of the New York Jets , according to reports.
On Tuesday, owner Woody Johnson sensationally fired Saleh in a surprising move that has rocked the AFC East franchise. Saleh was 20-36 as the head coach of the Jets, including their current 2-3 record in a year the team hoped to reach the playoffs as they entered the campaign amid heavy expectations.
Johnson had never before fired a coach in-season in his ownership tenure, but the dismal back-to-back losses to the Denver Broncos at home and the Minnesota Vikings in London sealed Saleh’s exit heading into Week 6. The move was still surprising, given the exceptional play of the defense through five weeks.
“This is one of the most talented teams that has ever been assembled by the New York Jets,” Johnson told reporters. "I want to give the team the most opportunity to win this season, [so] I feel like we had to go in a different direction.”
Remarkably, Saleh was looking to fire Hackett before he was let go himself as he looked to improve on the struggling Jets offense, per CBS Sports ' Jonathan Jones. He reportedly could have fired his offensive coordinator as early as Tuesday – but found himself out of a job early that day instead.
Hackett has been heavily criticized since joining the Jets, but the offense received a pass when Aaron Rodgers went down last season and Zach Wilson took over. If Saleh had fired Hackett, the Jets would have likely replaced him with former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Todd Downing.
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After Downing was let go by the Titans following the 2022 season, he joined the Jets as their passing game coordinator last season.
Despite finally having Rodgers installed at quarterback, the Jets offense has been one of the worst in the NFL this season. The Jets offense ranks 23rd in first downs per game (18), 23rd in offensive points per game (18.6), 27th in net passing yards per attempt (5.4), and 27th in total yards (286.6.)
It has been a rough few years for Hackett. He left his role as offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers - where he did not call plays - to become the Broncos head coach for the 2022 season, but he lasted just 15 games before the AFC West franchise fired him.
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He was then hired as the Jets offensive coordinator, with many believing the move was done to appease Rodgers before any trade. The four-time NFL MVP has praised Hackett's coaching ability for years, and he has regularly defended the maligned coach during his time in New York.
After firing Saleh, Johnson told reporters he expected changes would be made to the offense without details. Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich takes over as the interim head coach as the franchise prepares for an AFC East matchup with the 3-2 Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football in Week 6.
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