Jets hire Nathaniel Hackett, fired by Broncos last season, as new offensive coordinator

Nathaniel Hackett is back in the NFL, this time as an offensive coordinator. And another team might be hoping it's a way to lure Aaron Rodgers.

The New York Jets hired Hackett, who had a rough season as Denver Broncos head coach, to run their offense.

It's a curious choice considering Hackett's offense, with Russell Wilson at quarterback, was among the worst in the NFL. The Broncos finished last in the league in points scored last season.

The Jets needed a boost to the offense and perhaps there's more to the move than just Hackett's experience as an offensive coordinator.

Hackett was praised often by Rodgers when he was Rodgers' offensive coordinator with the Green Bay Packers. It's fair to wonder if the Broncos, who were in trade talks to get Rodgers at one point, hired Hackett in part to lure Rodgers. It's fair to wonder if the same thing is happening with the Jets with Rodgers' future yet again up in the air.

The Jets offense was bad last season mostly because the quarterback play was uneven. Zach Wilson, the second overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft, hasn't played well. The Jets have a good roster but are lagging behind at quarterback. They're likely going to be in the market for a veteran QB this offseason.

Maybe Hackett, without the duties of head coaching that clearly he wasn't doing well at managing, will help the offense on his own. Or maybe he'll be a reason the Jets add some help this offseason.