<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=14qzrF_0w1nfxBM00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=14qzrF_0w1nfxBM00" width="1600" height="900" >As Robert Saleh <a href="https://www.profootballrumors.com/2024/10/jets-robert-saleh-planned-to-strip-nathaniel-hackett-of-play-calling-duties">was planning to do</a>, Jeff Ulbrich will demote Nathaniel Hackett. The second-year Jets offensive coordinator will no longer carry play-calling responsibilities.Instead, quarterbacks coach Todd Downing will take over. Ulbrich announced this change Thursday morning, and Hackett’s stock continues to nosedive in the years since his Packers OC tenure. This will be Downing’s third chance at calling plays for a team, as he did so as Raiders OC and Titans OC.The Jets had conducted a <a href="https://www.profootballrumors.com/2024/05/jets-made-effort-to-hire-de-facto-oc-to-oversee-nathaniel-hackett">backchannel search for an assistant to aid</a> Hackett this offseason, contacting Arthur Smith <a href="https://www.profootballrumors.com/2024/07/jets-explored-adding-arthur-smith-to-offensive-staff">about the unusual role</a>. No official OC interviews occurred, and Hackett — who has continually received <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RodgAa00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.profootballrumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_pfr">Aaron Rodgers</a> endorsements despite his shaky resume — retained play-calling duties. But the Jets’ offense has not seen Rodgers’ return produce a substantial improvement. Considering <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilsZa00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.profootballrumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_pfr">Zach Wilson</a> was primarily at the controls last season, these struggles played a central role in Saleh being fired.Hackett’s offense, which ranked 29th in scoring and 31st in yardage last season, enters Week 6 ranked 25th and 27th in those categories. The second-generation NFL coach has taken heat for a lack of pre-snap motion, keeping an old-school West Coast Offense attack in place for Rodgers to run. Hackett, who saw his stock rise from his stay as a non-play-calling OC in Green Bay under Matt LaFleur, has proven overmatched at multiple stops this decade. This demotion continues one of the more memorable coaching freefalls in recent memory.Fired as Jaguars OC during the 2018 season, Hackett rebounded with the Packers and beat out Dan Quinn to become Broncos HC in 2022. A shockingly disjointed offense defined that disastrous Denver campaign, which saw the team plummet from 21st to 32nd in scoring despite the blockbuster <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilsRu00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.profootballrumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_pfr">Russell Wilson</a> trade. The Broncos fired Hackett after 15 games, making him the second HC since 1979 fired before his first season ended. Eyeing Rodgers, the Jets gave Hackett a lifeboat soon after. But Saleh’s hire did not produce the desired results. With Rodgers back and not showing much of his MVP form following an Achilles tear, the Jets booted Saleh and are now giving the keys to Downing.This represents a bounce-back opportunity for Downing, who saw a DUI during the 2022 season lead him out of Tennessee. The Titans canned Downing after the ’22 season brought a step back. The Titans dropped from 15th to 28th in scoring from 2021-22, though <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TannRy00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.profootballrumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_pfr">Ryan Tannehill</a>‘s ankle injury — which cost the starter five games during the ’22 season — contributed heavily to that decline. That said, Downing was a one-and-done OC in Oakland. Jack Del Rio promoted his QBs coach to OC, replacing Bill Musgrave, in 2017. The end result: Del Rio’s firing and Downing returning to his hometown Vikings as tight ends coach.<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CarrDe02.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.profootballrumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_pfr">Derek Carr</a> took a noticeable step back, despite <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CoopAm00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.profootballrumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_pfr">Amari Cooper</a> remaining on the Raiders’ roster, in 2017; that led to Mark Davis‘ restart around Jon Gruden. Downing joined Mike Vrabel‘s Titans staff in 2019, following Smith's trajectory by bumping from TE coach to OC. This Jets gig will present far more pressure, however, as an all-in team with jobs on the line will rely on Downing to inject some life into an offense that has stagnated.The Jets, who are retaining Hackett on staff, scored just nine points against the Broncos and fell behind 17-0 against the Vikings. Meanwhile, the Saleh- and Ulbrich-coached defense ranks fifth in scoring and second in yardage. After Saleh fell on his sword, Ulbrich will be tasked with re-routing the 2-3 team’s course. The team faces the Bills for a shot at the division lead Monday. Suddenly, Downing holds the keys to the Jets’ Rodgers-centric plan being salvaged.</div></body>

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Jets HC change doesn't negate Nathaniel Hackett's play-calling fate

As Robert Saleh was planning to do, Jeff Ulbrich will demote Nathaniel Hackett. The second-year Jets offensive coordinator will no longer carry play-calling responsibilities. Instead, quarterbacks coach Todd Downing will take over. Ulbrich announced this change Thursday morning, and Hackett’s stock continues to nosedive in the years since his Packers OC tenure. This will be Downing’s third chance at calling plays for a team, as he did so as Raiders OC and Titans OC.

Jets HC change doesn't negate Nathaniel Hackett's play-calling fate

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