NY Jets HC Robert Saleh has no answer for why he won't demote Nathaniel Hackett

The NY Jets organization has become the very definition of the word insanity, and the coaching staff, led by frontman Robert Saleh, is the centerpiece of said insanity.

Sure, the Jets have made their share of personnel changes. Zach Wilson was benched. Allen Lazard joined him on the sideline this week. The likes of Randall Cobb and C.J. Uzomah have seen their playing time diminish. Michael Carter was outright released.

None of it has worked. Jets players continue to be held accountable for the offense's historic ineptitude, but the same can't be said about the team's coaching staff — most notably offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

Saleh was once again asked his weekly question about potentially demoting Hackett from the team's offensive play-caller, and his answer this week was the same as it's been all year. No. The Jets will not be doing that.

Why? Well, Saleh doesn't really have a good answer for that.

"It would be a really long answer, answer for another day. When you look at it all — and again, it’s a little bit of everything, whether the calls could be better, whether the execution can be better, whether our one-on-one battles could be better — it’s taking advantage of the situations we have when we get them. Do I think play caller will fix that? I don’t know. I don’t have an answer for you on that one."

- Robert Saleh

Robert Saleh knows exactly why the NY Jets won't fire Nathaniel Hackett

There's nothing Saleh can say because, in reality, it's likely not even his decision to make. Nathaniel Hackett is the offensive coordinator of the Jets because of one man — Aaron Rodgers.

Sure, Hackett's prior experience with Saleh and his familiarity with members of the Jets' coaching staff might've helped get him the position, but the only reason his job is safe right now is Rodgers.

The Jets' injured quarterback is holding them hostage. Rodgers' personal relationship with Hackett is the only reason the Jets can't consider making a change at play-caller, despite the latter's historic levels of ineptitude.

The Jets are on pace to finish with the worst third-down offense in NFL history. They rank dead last in the NFL in yards per game and red-zone efficiency. This is one of the worst offenses the NFL has seen in a long time.

The players are being held accountable. Saleh continues to make personnel changes as it pertains to struggling players. The same accountability is not shown to the coaching staff, however. That's because it's not his call to make.

Saleh can't publicly explain why he won't demote Hackett, but he doesn't need to. Everyone knows why. The fans know, the media knows, and it's to the point where the players likely know, too.

Robert Saleh and the Jets are being held hostage by a quarterback who isn't even playing for them. And because of that, Nathaniel Hackett will remain the team's offensive coordinator, and nothing will change.