Chargers just exposed another brutal Nathaniel Hackett failure for the Jets

The Nathaniel Hackett era was a dark time for the New York Jets. The longtime NFL assistant was hired as the team's offensive coordinator ahead of the 2023 season, due in no small part to his connection to eventual Jets QB Aaron Rodgers.

The hire was panned at the time, and it's safe to say that the consensus opinion was accurate. Hackett was a disaster for the Jets, eventually receiving a demotion before the end of his second and final year with the organization.

The former Denver Broncos head coach made many mistakes during his time with the Jets, far too many to count if we're being honest. But one of his more under-the-radar mistakes was his misuse of tight end Tyler Conklin.

Conklin made his debut for the Los Angeles Chargers in Friday’s win over the Kansas City Chiefs, and he wasted little time reminding Nathaniel Hackett what he left on the table. The veteran tight end hauled in two catches for 50 yards and, most notably, was finally utilized as more than just a check-down option.

Multiple Jets reporters were quick to highlight Conklin’s breakout while pointing out Hackett’s shortcomings in the process.

Tyler Conklin is the latest ex-Jets Nathaniel Hackett failure

It's not as if Conklin's Jets career was an abject failure. Signed to a three-year, $21 million contract in 2022, Conklin put together respectable numbers with the Jets, totaling 170 catches for 1,622 yards and seven touchdowns across three seasons.

Conklin's 2023 season was likely the best of his career, even if he failed to record a single touchdown and recorded a large chunk of his production in garbage time. The former Central Michigan standout was still a regular part of the team's passing attack.

The issue has more to do with his usage. As SNY's Connor Hughes noted, Conklin was often deployed as little more than an underneath check-down option. He averaged a measly 9.5 yards per reception with the Jets, including a lowly 8.8 yards per catch in 2024.

Conklin's misuse was far from the most egregious mistake of Hackett's Jets tenure, but his Chargers debut is proof that he has some untapped potential the Jets' offensive coaching staff was unable to unlock.

Hackett was fired by the Jets along with the rest of the coaching staff following the 2024 season, only to resurface in Green Bay as a defensive analyst under Matt LaFleur this summer.

Fittingly enough, the man who couldn’t scheme a passing game to save his life is now tucked away on the other side of the ball. At least this time Hackett won't be able to waste any offensive talent from the sideline.

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