The New York Jets have signed former Denver Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator.
The team announced Thursday the hiring of 43-year-old Hackett to replace Mike LaFleur after coach Robert Saleh and the Jets interviewed at least 15 candidates for the vacancy.
Hackett won 4-11 in less than a season as the Broncos head coach, who fired him the day after Denver’s 14-51 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Christmas Day. Hackett replaced Vic Fangio last January but was unable to build an offense to match veteran Russell Wilson with the Broncos.
With the Jets, Hackett joins a team that has struggled on offense in two seasons under LaFleur and faces a big question at quarterback. Zach Wilson failed to live up to expectations after being picked runner-up overall in the 2021 draft. Mike White and Joe Flacco, both of whom started temporarily in Wilson’s place, are set to become free agents.
Jets owner Woody Johnson said after the season that saw New York finish 7-10 and a six-game losing streak that he would “absolutely” be on board to acquire a veteran quarterback in the offseason.
Hackett’s arrival will fuel some speculation as to whether the Jets could go after Aaron Rodgers, whose playing future is uncertain. Hackett and Rodgers have a connection: He served as the Packers’ offensive coordinator from 2019-21 with Rodgers as quarterback.
Hackett and Saleh first worked together in Jacksonville under coach Doug Marrone in 2015-16 when Hackett was the Jaguars’ quarterbacks coach and Saleh was the linebackers coach.
The Jets also announced that Keith Carter has been hired as the team’s offensive line coach/run game coordinator, replacing the fired John Benton. Carter has been Tennessee’s O-line coach for the past five seasons.
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