Speaking on ESPN, the former New York Jets wide receiver believes the pressure is on for the offensive coaching staff
It’s safe to say that expectations are high for the New York Jets this season. Whether it’s former players or coaches, most believe that the Jets coaching staff will be under fire if the team underperforms this season. With Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, it’s hard to fault that line of thinking.
You can count former first-overall pick and Jets wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson as another person echoing this sentiment.
Speaking on ESPN’s NFL Live segment, the first overall pick of the 1996 NFL draft believes all the cards have been played to set the offense up for success. And if the team fails, there’s likely to be repercussions, specifically for the leader of the offensive staff.
“I think it will fall somewhat on the head coach, but I’m looking at the offensive staff as a whole,” said Johnson in response to a scenario of what will happen if the Jets underperform this year.
“Nathaniel Hackett the offensive coordinator. He’s bringing in a system that Aaron Rodgers knows. He’s bringing in receivers that Aaron Rodgers knows. All of a sudden, the quarterback position doesn’t look quite the same. They’re not moving the football. The offense is stalled. We’re seeing some of the same things that we saw in Denver, when he was a head coach not just an offensive coordinator.
"When you have potentially the best QB in the history of New York football, whether it's the Giants or the Jets, … and they're not producing … it can be real problems … for you if you're Nathaniel Hackett."
—@keyshawn on the pressure for the Jets offense in 2023👀 pic.twitter.com/w151iQjB8j
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 6, 2023
Johnson knows that Jets fans won’t accept mediocrity after acquiring the future first-ballot Hall of Famer.
“Especially in New York … When you play in New York, the expectations are different,” continued Johnson. “When you have potentially the best quarterback in the history of New York football, whether it’s the Giants or the Jets, in that city and they’re not producing on the offensive side of the ball? It could be real problems for you if you’re Nathaniel Hackett.”
