NY Jets plan to unofficially demote Nathaniel Hackett in 2024

Nathaniel Hackett's role is likely to be reduced

Justin Fried

NY Jets, Nathaniel Hackett / Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA

The NY Jets have no plans to fire offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett despite his immense struggles in 2023, but that doesn't mean they don't expect to change anything.

In The Athletic's bombshell report that dropped on Wednesday, Zack Rosenblatt and Dianna Russini hinted at the Jets making some adjustments to their offensive coaching staff. Most notably, the team might be changing their play-calling process on offense.

The report states that the Jets have "lost confidence in [Hackett's] ability to run the offense on his own" and that the team is exploring ways to reduce his role in 2024.

The Jets have quietly been making some changes to their offensive coaching staff, bringing in Tony Dews and Shawn Jefferson to be their new running backs and wide receivers coaches, respectively.

The Athletic reports that the Jets are hoping to create "a more collaborative play-calling process" for the offense next season. That would include an unofficial demotion of sorts for Hackett.

The NY Jets are hoping to reduce Nathaniel Hackett's role on offense

On the surface, it should come as no surprise that the Jets are exploring ways to shake up their offensive coaching staff. Hackett's offense finished the season ranked 31st in total yards and 29th in scoring.

The Athletic's report paints a picture of coaching malpractice and incompetence on the part of Hackett, and it doesn't appear to be a well-kept secret within the Jets' organization. Changes needed to be made.

The Jets were never going to fire Hackett (and we all know why), but this is probably the most logical alternative. And yes, according to the report, Aaron Rodgers had input on this decision.

The most likely individual to take on a larger role in 2024 would be passing game coordinator Todd Downing. Downing has prior experience as an offensive coordinator in the NFL and has been seen as the second-in-command to Hackett on that side of the ball.

While Downing is the only other coach with offensive coordinator experience at the NFL level on the staff, don't be surprised if coaches like Shawn Jefferson and Keith Carter (yes, that Keith Carter) assume more responsibility given their overall experience.

The Jets are handcuffed to Hackett, but they're looking for ways to improve the situation around him and diminish his responsibilities next season. This is probably their only option.

This is an important offseason for New York and you have a chance to kick it off with a win thanks to FanDuel. All you have to do is sign up, deposit $10 or more and bet $5 or more on either San Fran or Kansas City. If you wager wins, you'll get $200 in bonus bets! Sign up with FanDuel today.

Justin Fried

Justin Fried is an editor for FanSided who has over seven years of experience covering the NFL and various other sports. A diehard Jets fan since birth, Justin has served as the editor for The Jet Press since 2019, interviewing athletes such as Sauce Gardner, Curtis Martin, LaDainian Tomlinson, Joe Klecko, and many others. Justin has also worked closely with brands like Red Bull to help highlight the niche sectors of the sporting world. His four-part series on the sport of breaking remains one of his proudest pieces of work. In his spare time, Justin is an avid pro wrestling fan who is fortunate enough to have traveled to nearly 30 different countries.