Featured Columnist IVOctober 12, 2024
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Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh “tried to recruit a number of completely different offensive coaches throughout the offseason,” in accordance with The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
“The Jets spoke to Eric Bieniemy (now UCLA’s offensive coordinator), Kliff Kingsbury (now the Commanders’ offensive coordinator), Luke Getsy (now the Raiders’ offensive coordinator) and Arthur Smith (now the Steelers’ offensive coordinator),” Russini reported Saturday.
She added that “it proved too tough to make an addition since [Saleh] did not have an ‘offensive coordinator’ title to supply.”
The Jets announced Tuesday they fired Saleh following a 2-3 begin to the 2024 NFL season.
SNY’s Connor Hughes adopted as much as report that Saleh deliberate to take away offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett from play-calling duties earlier than his ouster. Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich eventually took that step.
Jets Movies @snyjets
Jeff Ulbrich declares that Todd Downing will name the performs shifting ahead for the Jets’ offense
Ulbrich says Nathaniel Hackett will proceed to be a “huge a part of the success we’ll have going ahead” pic.twitter.com/R5soBKKBoC
It is telling how Saleh seemingly wished to rent a wholly new offensive coordinator however did not merely hearth Hackett outright. Russini wrote Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers “was concerned within the course of so as to add a brand new coach” but “wasn’t going besides Hackett.”
New York painted itself right into a severe nook.
Johnson maintained he didn’t consult with Rodgers earlier than deciding to fireplace Saleh. Eliminating Saleh whereas conserving Hackett nonetheless solely strengthened the notion the four-time MVP is wielding important affect behind the scenes.
NFL on ESPN @ESPNNFL
“Aaron Rodgers mentioned that Nathaniel Hackett is one in all his dearest mates… enjoyable and friendship do not win you soccer video games.”@Realrclark25 on the Jets making Todd Downing their new play caller ✍️ pic.twitter.com/59qYfp0WEC
Demoting Hackett then raised the pure follow-up query of what goal the offensive coordinator is serving in case you now not belief him because the lead play-caller.
Lindsay Jones @bylindsayhjones
so what’s it Nathaniel Hackett is definitely going to do now for the Jets?
Up & Adams @UpAndAdamsShow
With a brand new #Jets playcaller on the helm, the place does that go away Nathaniel Hackett?
Gronk: “I am unsure what is the level of Nathaniel Hackett even being part of the New York Jets in case you get demoted identical to that…” 😳@heykayadams @RobGronkowski @nyjets pic.twitter.com/fkW9N2T35r
Russini pointed to a different lingering difficulty when she wrote that giving passing sport coordinator Todd Downing the play sheet “will not in the end change a lot in regards to the Jets’ offensive course of.” The play-calling nonetheless runs by way of Rodgers, who’s anticipated to proceed mainly exercising his proper to change any name he does not like on the line of scrimmage.
Saleh is not completely innocent for the Jets’ disappointing 2023 season or their underwhelming begin this 12 months. Nevertheless, Russini’s report reinforces how he was working with one hand tied behind his again from the second the Jets determined to tie their destiny to Rodgers.
