Nathaniel Hackett reveals who drew him to the New York Jets
The New York Jets had been rumored as a potential suitor for Aaron Rodgers ever since the end of the 2022 regular season. When former Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett was hired as the Jets’ offensive coordinator in late January, many assumed it was because of his connection to Rodgers.
But when talking to the New York Daily News, Hackett suggested that it was Robert Saleh and the entirety of the Jets, and not Aaron Rodgers, that was the deciding factor for him to join the team.
“Being with a guy like Robert [Saleh], somebody that I’ve known and other guys that I’ve known on this staff that I knew, [Aaron] Whitecotton, Ron Middleton, to be able to have [Zach] Azzanni join us, Todd Downing, so many different guys — it just looked like a great staff, a great group of men. But Robert, he’s the guy that I respected for so long after working with him and now what he has done in his career. I have some great memories from when my dad [Paul Hackett] was here. Back then, with Chad Pennington, Curtis Martin, Kevin Mawae and that crew winning the division, those were some great times.”
For those who don’t know, Paul Hackett (Nathaniel’s father) was the offensive coordinator for the Jets from 2001-2004 under head coach Herm Edwards. During that time, Doug Marrone worked as the Jets’ offensive line coach (from 2002-2005). When Marrone became the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, the younger Hackett and Robert Saleh would work together from 2015-2016.
Now, Nathaniel Hackett looks to step into his father’s footsteps as the offensive coordinator of the Jets. Accompanying him are future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Allen Lazard – two players who worked with Hackett in Green Bay.
With any luck, Hackett will be able to attain better success than his father did in New York and help lead the Jets to their first playoff appearance since 2010.