It took the new Jets OC one offseason to do what Nathaniel Hackett never could

Breece Hall wasn’t the same player in 2024. After a breakout season the year before, Hall's production and efficiency dipped across the board. The Jets' offense had no rhythm, and Hall struggled with ball security and consistency.

It didn’t help that the coaching staff never seemed to find a clear role for him, something that was already evident the year before. Let's not forget Nathaniel Hackett's now-infamous revelation.

Near the end of the 2023 season, Nathaniel Hackett, then the Jets' offensive coordinator and play caller, admitted he "wasn't ready" for Hall to be so productive in the passing game.

It was a strange thing to hear from someone who had spent an entire year calling plays for him, and an unfortunately revealing glimpse into how disconnected the coaching was from the talent on the field.

Hackett was demoted midway through 2024 and fired after the season. Now going into 2025, the Jets have turned to Tanner Engstrand, who’s already drawing praise for how he plans to use Hall.

Tanner Engstrand knows how to maximize Breece Hall in the Jets' offense

Engstrand has only been on the job for a few months, but it’s already clear he has a plan for Hall, one that doesn’t require a midseason realization that Hall can actually catch passes. Engstrand and head coach Aaron Glenn have made it clear Hall will be used as a true three-down back.

Hall told reporters last week that the coaches regularly tell him, “Breece, you’re going to do everything.” That includes running between the tackles, working outside the numbers, and being a legitimate threat in the passing game.

It’s a refreshing change from the uncertainty of last year. The 2024 version of Hall looked like a shell of the player who dominated the league the year before.

Hall averaged just 4.2 yards per carry, posted a lowly 0.15 rushing yards over expected, and fumbled six times, more than double his total from the previous two seasons combined. He also led the team in drops.

His disappointing season raised long-term questions about his role and future in the Jets' offense, especially with younger backs like Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis entering the fold.

The coaching instability didn’t help. Hackett was clearly in over his head, and even when Todd Downing took over as the play caller, the offense didn't improve much. Engstrand’s background offers a different outlook.

He worked under Ben Johnson and Dan Campbell in Detroit, serving as the passing game coordinator, but he also has experience as a tight ends coach and running backs coach. He understands how to build structure around skill players and how to feature a running back in the modern game.

The timing is ideal for Hall. With Justin Fields at quarterback, the Jets are expected to lean into a more run-focused offense. They’ve invested heavily in the offensive line, drafting Olu Fashanu in 2024 and Armand Membou in 2025.

This is a team built to run, and Engstrand appears ready to let Hall lead the way, not as an accessory, but as a foundation. He's already more aware of what Hall can do than Hackett ever was.

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