The New York Jets have a new head coach after they fired Robert Saleh, and they will also have a new offensive playcaller beginning in Week 6.
Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich told reporters on Thursday that Todd Downing will call offensive plays during Monday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills and going forward. That essentially means offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has been demoted.
“Regarding the staff: After a lot of time to think about it, and did not make this decision easily by any means, I’m gonna make Todd Downing the playcaller for the New York Jets moving forward,” Ulbrich said. “This is more a byproduct of a different take on things. I’m not saying it’s a better or worse take on things by any means, but just a different take on things, a fresh approach. Ultimately, Todd will have the full say on the game plan and ultimately the plays that are called within the game.”
Coach Ulbrich announced that Todd Downing will be the play caller for Monday night's game against the Bills. pic.twitter.com/nQC08PtLCc
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 10, 2024
Ulbrich added that Aaron Rodgers was on board with the decision.
Ulbrich says Rodgers understood and supported the decision to take play calling from Hackett
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) October 10, 2024
Rodgers and Hackett worked together in Green Bay when Hackett was the offensive coordinator of the Packers from 2019-2021. That relationship then helped Hackett land the OC job with the Jets. One report this week said Saleh had made the decision to strip Hackett of playcalling duties just minutes before Saleh was fired. That led to speculation that Rodgers may have gotten Saleh fired in order to protect Hackett.
Rodgers on Wednesday blasted the narrative that he had anything to do with Saleh being fired. That is easier to believe now that Hackett has still been demoted.
Downing was hired by the Jets last season as passing game coordinator and added quarterbacks coach to his duties this year. He was previously the offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans.
