Why did the Jets demote offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett just as Robert Saleh intended to do?

From a seemingly icy relationship with the team’s starting quarterback which later led to a public back and forth, to a security escort to his car after he was fired, it’s now clear that Robert Saleh’s exit from New York was less than kosher. That is of course before we touch on the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ request for an explanation of that last point.

The Jets’ curious decision to demote Nathaniel Hackett

In one of our previous reports, we outlined the notion that former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh had made it clear that he wanted to at the very least demote offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, thereby removing his play-calling responsibilities. We also highlighted the fact that Saleh wanted to see that move made on the very same day that he was fired i.e., this past Tuesday. Now, it should be said that Hackett and starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers have enjoyed a close professional and personal relationship for years. Indeed, the two worked together during Rodgers’ time with the Green Bay Packers.

Needless to say, there has been much speculation as to what happened behind closed doors and why, with Saleh having since followed the expected line of comment, thanking all involved for his time with the franchise. Be that as it may, whether we touch on the above-mentioned request from CAIR, or his relationship with Rodgers, it stands to reason that the franchise’s reported move where Hackett is concerned raises an eyebrow. What is that move? According to reports on Thursday, Hackett will in fact be demoted with assistant Todd Downing taking over, a fact confirmed by new and interim Jets coach Jeff Ulbrich who stated that Downing will have “final say” on the offense from now on.

“After a lot of time to think about it - I did not make this decision easily, by any means - I’m gonna make Todd Downing the play-caller for the New York Jets going forward,” Ulbrich told reporters. “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. 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.” Ulbrich continued, explaining that Hackett will remain on staff and even keep his title of offensive coordinator, but again, the “final say on the Game plan and the play-calling” will go to Downing. Where Rodgers is concerned, Hackett acknowledged that the signal caller and Hackett are “very, very good friends,” before stating that Rodgers “understood the decision and...was supportive of the decision.”

Now, if it wasn’t clear, this is strange. What’s more, is that it points to the idea that Saleh was fired not because of a failure to perform his function but rather something else. Consider for a moment, that it was he who hired Downing as the team’s passing game coordinator and then later added the responsibility of quarterbacks coach ahead of this season. It was also he who replaced Hackett as the primary play-caller during mandatory minicamp this past offseason. Yet, this can all be considered snatching at straws. If there is one metric that we can look to, it’s performance or rather, lack thereof. The Jets are on 2-3 and have boasted one of the worst offenses in the league this season and that was on Hackett’s watch. Saleh wanted to change things and was fired which begs the question, why?