Interim Jets HC Jeff Ulbrich reveals how Aaron Rodgers reacted to Nathaniel Hackett being stripped of play calling duties
Aaron Rodgers had previously stated that Nathaniel Hackett was one of the main reasons why he chose to sign with the New York Jets after winning four NFL MVP titles with the Green Bay Packers.
However, after the axe fell on Robert Saleh, Nathaniel Hackett was relieved that he didn't lose his Jets job. But not for long. The new interim HC, Jeff Ulbrich, announced that he was demoting the OC from his playcalling duties, and instead was going to hand them over to Todd Downing, who until now was the QB coach and passing game coordinator.
Obviously, Aaron Rodgers would've been taken aback by the coach's decision since he had a special connection with Hackett. But the interim HC assured fans that he understood and accepted the decision.
“It was obviously — not necessarily shocked, but we all are familiar with the relationship [Rodgers] has with Nathaniel. And they’re very, very good friends that go back a long way,” Ulbrich told reporters. “He understood the decision and he was supportive of the decision."
Nathaniel Hackett has struggled with playcalling. He was fired from the Jacksonville Jaguars after just 11 games in 2018, then had to give up playcalling for the Denver Broncos after 9 games in 2022.
As the Jets OC in 2023, the team's offense ranked the second worst in the league, and now he's been asked to give up his playcalling duties.
Many fans are wondering if he will be shown the door as well by the end of the year if the Jets do well under Todd Browning as the offensive play-caller.
Aaron Rodgers denies any role in Robert Saleh's firing
Many on the Internet began pointing fingers at Rodgers for Hackett losing his playcalling duties. After Robert Saleh was fired from the team, fans had also pointed fingers at Rodgers.
But on the "Pat McAfee Show," Aaron Rodgers categorically denied any role in Saleh's sacking.
"As far as any of the ridiculous allegations out there, I’m not going to spend more than one sentence in response to it, and that is I resent any of those accusations because they’re patently false," Rodgers said. "It’s interesting the amount of power people think I have, which I don’t. But I love Robert, and it was one of those days yesterday."
In the upcoming week, the Jets will take on the Buffalo Bills. Can the interim HC Jeff Ulbrich and Todd Downing finally turn things around for the 2-3 Jets?