Jets WR defends Nathaniel Hackett in response to criticism from Sean Payton
Jul 22, 2023; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (10) during the New York Jets Training Camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Rodgers isn’t the only New York Jets player sticking up for Nathaniel Hackett.
Last week, new Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton took aim at his predecessor, Hackett. Payton called Hackett’s stint as Broncos coach last season “one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL.” Payton also claimed that he would be “doing the opposite” of everything Hackett did while running the show in Denver.
Hackett was fired after a 4-11 start to the season last year but has since been hired as the offensive coordinator of the Jets. Hackett previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Packers. He has since been reunited with Rodgers and former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard.
On Sunday, Rodgers defended Hackett following the criticism the offensive coordinator received from Payton. On Monday, it was Lazard defending Hackett.
“I think what Aaron said spoke for everyone here,” Lazard said, via Antwan Staley of the New York Daily News. “At the end of the day, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. We have bigger things to worry about than people worry about our offensive coordinator.”
Lazard also had the highest of praises for Hackett. The two spent three seasons together with the Packers from 2019 to 2021 before both men moved to the Jets organization.
“Hackett is the best teacher I’ve ever had in my life,” Lazard said. “His personality, his style of teaching, coaching, his vulnerability just to be himself, I think it’s very powerful and it speaks to high regard of him being comfortable with himself.”
Rodgers went full Will Smith at the 2022 Oscar’s at Payton. The Jets quarterback demanded that Payton “keep my coach’s name out of his mouth.”
It remains to be seen whether there’s also a slap pending once the Jets take on the Broncos in Week 5.
