“Rodgers to the Jets confirmed” - NFL fans claim Nathaniel Hackett hire is latest attempt to win over Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers nearly jumped ship last year in the minds of fans. The year before that, the quarterback flirted with retirement and a big change as well. This year, fans are claiming that the New York Jets are the latest team to attempt to win over the quarterback, thanks to their latest coaching hire.
Nathaniel Hackett, the Denver Broncos' former head coach, was hired by the team. The offensive coordinator spent several years with the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers. During his stay, the quarterback led many to believe that he loved his coordinator.
Will Aaron Rodgers join the New York Jets in 2023?
Fans believe that the Denver Broncos hired Hackett to try to entice the quarterback last year and that the New York Jets are trying to pull off the same thing. Here's what is being said:
@AdamSchefter Rodgers to the Jets confirmed.
@AdamSchefter Jets first question: Can you get us Aaron Rodgers?
Hackett: Probably not..
Jets: But you know him?
Hackett: I worked with him, yeah..
Jets: You're hired!
@AdamSchefter The same “This will lure Aaron Rodgers” trap that the Broncos fell victim to last year.
@AdamSchefter https://t.co/gDSM4ZLDHX
@AdamSchefter Aaron Rodgers to the Jets theorists seeing this https://t.co/XkonnorSP6
@AdamSchefter Nathaniel Hackett and Aaron Rodgers reuniting in New York. https://t.co/pe1mjYIsLL
@AdamSchefter Aaron Rodgers rn
https://t.co/hfVzhcOIoU
@AdamSchefter So Rodgers is going to Jets and probably winning a Super Bowl right?
@AdamSchefter Now do Aaron Rodgers to the Jets…
@AdamSchefter Rodgers lookin like: https://t.co/oFtbezBPs6
Nathaniel Hackett's rollercoaster career sets Jets up for risky results without Rodgers
The offensive coordinator's time in the NFL began in 2006 as an offensive quality control coach, according to Pro Football Reference. However, his first coordinator gig came in 2013 and 2014, during the division's infamous struggles to supplant Tom Brady. However, with his next team, the offense ascended on his watch.
While he was with the team, Blake Bortles had the best year of his career and led the team to the AFC Championship game. After showing promise in Florida, he joined the Green Bay Packers in 2019. In 2022, after three years of great success on Rodgers' watch, the coordinator was hired by the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos failed to get Aaron Rodgers by hiring the head coach, but did get then-Seattle Seahawks' franchise quarterback, Russell Wilson. Heading into his debut season, the Broncos were expected to be in at least Wild Card weekend and potentially reach a Super Bowl. Instead, the quarterback won four games and the team finished 5-12.
Hackett was fired the day after Christmas after the team suffered their worst blowout of the season against the Los Angeles Rams. Looking ahead, while the former head coach has had plenty of success as a coordinator, his recent track record of struggles opens up the possibility of a nosedive in his career.
Will the former head coach rebound in 2023 under Robert Saleh's leadership? The Jets already have the fourth-ranked defense in yards allowed per game. However, the team's offense is hoping for an overnight revamp after it became clear that Zach Wilson, Mike White and Joe Flacco are not the solution.
Will the team put it together to finally break the longest active playoff drought in the NFL?