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Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh “sought to bring in several different offensive coaches during the offseason,” per The Athletic's Dianna Russini.
“The Jets had discussions with 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 disclosed on Saturday.
She talked about that “it proved too challenging to add someone new since [Saleh] didn't have an ‘offensive coordinator' position available.”
The Jets officially proclaimed on Tuesday their determination to terminate Saleh after a 2-3 starting to the 2024 NFL season.
SNY's Connor Hughes then famous that Saleh meant to strip offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett of play-calling duties earlier than his dismissal. Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich eventually made that adjustment.
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Jeff Ulbrich publicizes that Todd Downing will name the performs shifting ahead for the Jets' offense<br><br>Ulbrich says Nathaniel Hackett will proceed to be a “big part of the success we're going to have going forward” <a href=”https://t.co/R5soBKKBoC”>pic.twitter.com/R5soBKKBoC</a>
It's interesting how Saleh appeared to desire to recruit a completely new offensive coordinator but opted not to outright dismiss Hackett. Russini wrote Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers “was instrumental in the effort to bring on a new coach” but “wasn't prepared to dismiss Hackett.”
New York found itself in a precarious situation.
Johnson stated he didn't confer with Rodgers earlier than opting to let go of Saleh. The determination to half methods with Saleh whereas retaining Hackett solely solidified the assumption that the four-time MVP is exerting substantial affect behind the scenes.
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“Aaron Rodgers said that Nathaniel Hackett is one of his dearest friends… fun and friendship don't win you football games.”<a href=”https://twitter.com/Realrclark25?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@Realrclark25</a> on the Jets making Todd Downing their new play caller ✍️ <a href=”https://t.co/59qYfp0WEC”>pic.twitter.com/59qYfp0WEC</a>
Demoting Hackett then raised the pure follow-up query of what objective the offensive coordinator is serving in the event you now not believe in him as the first play-caller.
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With a brand new <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jets?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Jets</a> playcaller on the helm, the place does that depart Nathaniel Hackett?<br><br>Gronk: “I'm not sure what's the point of Nathaniel Hackett even being a part of the New York Jets if you get demoted just like that…” 😳<a href=”https://twitter.com/heykayadams?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@heykayadams</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/RobGronkowski?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@RobGronkowski</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/nyjets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@nyjets</a> <a href=”https://t.co/fkW9N2T35r”>pic.com/fkW9N2T35r</a>
Russini highlighted one other persistent problem when she acknowledged that handing over play-calling duties to passing sport coordinator Todd Downing “likely won't bring about significant changes to the Jets' offensive scheme.” The decision-making course of nonetheless goes via Rodgers, who anticipates having the ability to alter any play he disagrees with on the line of scrimmage.
Saleh is partially accountable for the Jets' disappointing 2023 season and their lackluster begin this season. Nevertheless, Russini's report underscores how Saleh confronted limitations from the get-go when the Jets selected to hyperlink their future to Rodgers.
