Aaron Rodgers addresses reports about lack of trust in Nathaniel Hackett

Dec 10, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) on the field after the game against the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

There have been some unflattering reports about New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett this offseason, but Aaron Rodgers says we should ignore them.

Connor Hughes of SNY wrote in a recent mailbag that the Jets made “legitimate attempts” this offseason to demote Hackett. Hughes claimed the Jets wanted to hire someone who would “run the show” and essentially strip Hackett of any meaningful power he has, but ultimately the move was not made.

During a Thursday appearance on Mad Dog Sports Radio, Rodgers was asked why Jets fans should trust Hackett given all the information that has come out over the past few months. The 40-year-old quarterback said he has full confidence in Hackett.

“Well, you should trust me and I trust Nathaniel. To me, that’s end of story,” Rodgers said. “You know, there’s been a lot of BS that’s been said out there. There’s a lot of things that have gone on the last couple of years that he’s dealt with and I think he’s handled it very professionally. At the end of the day, I think you’ve gotta trust him and I’s working relationship and the conversations that we have.”

"You should trust me. And I trust Nathaniel. So, to me, that's end of story."

Aaron Rodgers tells @AdamSchein why #Jets fans should trust OC Nathaniel Hackett this upcoming season.

Hear the full interview now https://t.co/ABC0DJLMuh pic.twitter.com/sohwFe7wJ9

— Mad Dog Sports Radio (@MadDogRadio) May 23, 2024

A story from The Athletic in February also said the Jets felt Hackett was unprepared at times during the 2023 season. That report claimed Rodgers was on board with a plan to reduce Hackett’s role. Not long after that story came out, Jets owner Woody Johnson made some comments that raised the question of whether he has faith in Hackett.

Hackett was Rodgers’ offensive coordinator with the Green Bay Packers from 2019-2021. That connection is probably the primary reason Hackett landed the OC job with the Jets. It is still possible that the Jets have stripped Hackett of some of his responsibilities, but no one with the team — including Rodgers — is going to admit that publicly.