Nathaniel Hackett Beat Out A Long List Of Jets Candidates

After starting this season 6-3, the New York Jets regressed big time, finishing 7-10 and missing the playoffs for the 12th straight season.

With offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur leaving, they needed a change, and they ended up hiring Nathaniel Hackett, the former Denver Broncos head coach.

According to Jets head coach Robert Saleh, there were many candidates, but Hackett stood out.

Saleh says he had over 15 candidates, including college. “Kept circling back” to Hackett. “Really, really excited” about the hire. #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) January 26, 2023

Hackett has previously spent several seasons as an offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars and Green Bay Packers.

His best showing came in the 2020 season when Green Bay was ranked first in points scored, passing touchdowns and fewest turnovers committed.

That year, it finished 13-3 and came within a hair of reaching the Super Bowl, only to fall to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship Game, 31-26.

But this season was chaotic for Hackett.

While at the helm of the Broncos, he was a first-time head coach, and instead of competing for a spot in the Super Bowl, as many expected, they fell to a 5-12 record and missed the playoffs.

While their defense wasn’t too bad, their offense was painfully inept, as they ranked last in points scored and reached the 20-point mark only six times.

To be fair, Denver had some injuries, particularly to wide receiver Tim Patrick and running back Javonte Williams, but there was no reason it should’ve been this bad offensively.

The Jets have other holes to plug, particularly at quarterback, where they tried four different starters this season, but at least they have an offensive coordinator who has experienced success in that role in the past.