Robert Saleh ‘wanted to fire Jets offensive coordinator and Aaron Rodgers-favorite Nathaniel Hackett’ before being dismissed himself
Somehow, someone was fired this week from the New York Jets facility in Florham Park, New Jersey.
If owner Woody Johnson hadn’t decided to fire head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday, it would have been offensive coordinator and longtime Aaron Rodgers favorite Nathaniel Hackett who would have been fired, according to CBS Sports.
The report comes at a chaotic time for a Jets team that is quickly losing control of its Super Bowl aspirations after Sunday’s 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
A week earlier, Hackett’s offense produced just nine points in a deflating loss to the Denver Broncos — the same team that fired him after a 4-11 start in 2022.
He and Rodgers had previously worked together in Green Bay when the decorated quarterback won his MVP awards in the third and fourth divisions. But after Rodgers missed all but one offensive series due to injury in 2023, the two have failed to revive their success with the Jets in 2024.
Robert Saleh reacts in the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Stadium
New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett speaks to reporters in May
Aaron Rodgers was reportedly surprised when he heard Robert Saleh was fired
Although he looked like his former self against the lowly New England Patriots in Week 3, Rodgers struggled in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers and during the team’s ongoing two-game losing skid.
The worst came Sunday in London, where Rodgers was shut down three times by the Vikings and his surgically repaired right ankle appeared to worsen. He is expected to play Monday against the Buffalo Bills, when defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will make his debut as interim head coach.
For now at least, Hackett will remain the Jets’ offensive coordinator, but that’s not because the team is wowing everyone on that side of the ball. While Ulbrich’s defense ranks second in yardage and fifth in the sport, Hackett’s offense ranks 27th and 25th, respectively.
By comparison, the Jets ranked 31st and 25th in points last season as Rodgers recovered from his torn Achilles tendon. The team has since added former All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith, not to mention veteran right tackle Morgan Moses, but has little to show for the offseason moves.
Woody Johnson (left) did not shy away from general manager Joe Douglas when he fired Saleh
The Jets rank last in rushing despite the presence of highly touted running back Breece Hall, while Rodgers has been sacked 13 times – more than all but nine other passers.
According to the pharmaceutical heir and former US ambassador to Britain, the decision to fire Saleh was ultimately Johnson’s.
“This is probably the best team I’ve had in 25 years,” Johnson told reporters on Tuesday. “I just felt like the best way to move forward was in a new direction. “By taking Jeff Ulbrich and making him interim head coach, I thought it would get the most out of this team and give us the best opportunity we all want, which is to get to the playoffs.”
Rodgers was ‘blindsided’ by Saleh’s firing and had no indication the move would happen despite speaking to Johnson hours earlier, according to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz.
Johnson has claimed the former Super Bowl winner had no input in Saleh’s departure. He said he consulted general manager Joe Douglas, but ultimately it was his decision, and his alone.