The New York Jets are one of the few teams in the NFL that have a great deal riding on the 2024 season. After a disappointing 2023 that saw them finish 7-10 for the second year in a row, New York is cautiously optimistic that they will be competitive this year. They are trying to make the NFL Playoffs for the first time since 2010 and win the Super Bowl for the first time since 1969.
Of course, a big reason why New York feels they can potentially achieve these things is because they have four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback. As fans know, Rodgers missed all but four snaps of the 2023 season, his first with the Jets, due to a torn Achilles.
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That injury sent their season spiraling last year. Their inability to produce wins without him put many jobs on the proverbial hot seat in 2024.
The New York Jets Made Questionable Acquisitions to Help Lure Aaron Rodgers
Before the Jets were able to convince Rodgers that he should request a trade to them from the Green Bay Packers, they signed free agent wide receiver Allen Lazard and hired former Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator. Of course, Lazard and Hackett both spent time with Rodgers in Green Bay.
Over their last two seasons together with the Packers, Lazard and Rodgers connected for 13 touchdown passes, including eight in 2022. Hackett joined Green Bay’s coaching staff as offensive coordinator in 2019. Under his oversight, Rodgers won his third and fourth NFL MVP Awards in 2020 and 2021.
New York’s struggles after Rodgers got hurt, particularly the struggles of both Lazard and Hackett, made many question the decisions that were made to bring them onboard in the first place. Lazard had just 23 receptions for 311 yards and a single touchdown while Hackett’s play calling left many wondering if he would be fired after the season.
The New York Jets Tried to Hire Former Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith to Help Nathaniel Hackett Call Plays
The problem with firing Hackett is that Rodgers loves playing for him. Dismissing the offensive coordinator after just one season, a year in which their star quarterback was injured, could have hurt their relationship with the future Hall of Famer.
Of Hackett and why Jets fans should be okay with New York retaining Hacket, Rodgers said:
“Well, you should trust me and I trust Nathaniel. So, to me, that’s end of story.
“There’s been a lot of BS that’s been said out there. There’s a lot of things that have gone on the last couple years that he’s dealt with that I think he’s handled very professionally. And at the end of the day, I think you gotta trust his and my working relationship and the conversations that we have. You gotta trust the staff.”
But it sounds like the Jets themselves did not entirely trust the current staff. According to a report by Dianna Russini of The Athletic, New York tried to hire former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith to join the offensive coaching staff to help Hackett call plays:
Nathaniel Hackett is entering his second season as the New York Jets’ offensive coordinator, but the team had some conversations this offseason about a new approach to offensive play-calling — and Aaron Rodgers was made aware.
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith was one of those coaches that the Jets talked to about possibly being part of the play-calling process.”
As Russini notes, Rodgers was made aware of New York’s desire to add help to the play calling process. Of course, Smith did not end up joining the Jets. Instead, he took the offensive coordinator position with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While Rodgers and Hackett have a positive working relationship, it is no secret that Rodgers often audibles at the line of scrimmage, effectively calling his own plays.
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