New York Jets make Nathaniel Hackett decision after firing Robert Saleh

The New York Jets will keep Nathaniel Hackett despite the Aaron Rodgers-led offense misfiring and head coach Robert Saleh being given the boot.

The Jets made the decision to fire Saleh in Year 4 of his tenure following Sunday's defeat to the Minnesota Vikings in London at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will be the man in charge on a temporary basis, with a Week 6 matchup against the Buffalo Bills scheduled for Monday Night Football next week (Oct. 14).

Hackett, who has been a key figure in the Jets' offense after joining last year, will keep his job, according to The Athletic, despite New York's problems being on that side of the ball. Ulbrich has been trusted with the overall stewardship of the franchise over Hackett, while it searches for a new long-term head coach.

The Jets ' defense played a key part in Sunday's game with the unbeaten Vikings going to the final minute of the four-quarter affair. The Vikings ran out 23-17 winners, with a third Aaron Rodgers interception late in the fourth quarter sealing Minnesota's victory.

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"This was not an easy decision, but we are not where we should be given our expectations, and I believe now is the best time for us to move in a different direction," Chairman Woody Johnson said in a statement. Johnson confirmed that DC Ulbrich got the nod as he has the total respect of his coaches and players. The franchise is backing him to get the best out of the talented group, on both offense and defense.

"He is a tough coach who has the respect of the coaches and players on this team," Johnson continued. "I believe he along with the coaches on this staff can get the most out of our talented team and attain the goals we established this offseason."

Whether franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers, 40, played a part in the decision is unknown. However, the four-time NFL MVP and Saleh have appeared to be reading from different playbooks this season since Rodgers returned from a 2023 season-ending Achilles injury.

Rodgers struggled against the Vikings in London, throwing three interceptions and a career-fifth pick-six. He also had to shake off an injury scare in the fourth quarter. His protection from the offensive line wasn't the best either. Saleh implied after the game in his post-match press conference that Rodgers' use of candace may have hindered the Jets at times.

"We gotta figure it out, whether or not we’re good enough or ready to handle all the cadence," he said. "Cadence had not been an issue all camp. I felt like our operation had been operating pretty good. Obviously today we took a major step back.”

A big part in Rodgers joining the Jets before the 2023 season was getting to work with Hackett, who he knows well from their time together at the Green Bay Packers.