Nathaniel Hackett’s first season as offensive coordinator of the Jets has not gone according to plan.
Just four plays into the year, Aaron Rodgers, whom Hackett worked with in Green Bay, went down with an Achilles tear, leaving New York to turn to Zach Wilson at quarterback.
It has not gone well. Over the past four games, the Jets offense has averaged fewer than 10 points per outing. Wilson ultimately was benched Sunday after another disappointing performance against the Bills. Heading into Friday’s game against the Dolphins, the Jets are going with Tim Boyle under center.
While New York can shuffle its signal-callers, the offense will still be guided by Hackett, and while speaking with reporters on Wednesday, he didn’t exactly inspire confidence in the future.
After a reporter pointed out that Boyle’s stats from both college and his professional career were not all that impressive, Hackett deflected.
“When it comes to stats, there’s so many different ways to look at numbers,” Hackett said. “Good, bad. There are people throughout this league that have been very, very good. One of the best ever. There are those that are not as good. That fluctuates. There are so many things—that’s why this game is so great—so many different things that change that. Personnel. Situations. So many different things.”
The puzzling quote from Hackett was shared by reporter Zach Rosenblatt on social media, and fans had quite the response.
— Sayre Bedinger (@SayreBedinger) November 22, 2023
— John Maroon (@mdprguy) November 22, 2023
— Sonny Crockett (@SonnyCrockett92) November 22, 2023
Huh?
— Will Luden (@WillLuden) November 22, 2023
good and bad stats are the same https://t.co/x0CNE2DFlE
— Denny Carter (@CDCarter13) November 22, 2023
Word salad https://t.co/pgZ3l5JC2o
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) November 22, 2023
Hackett talks like me on a work call when I have no idea what they are talking about bc I was checking Twitter and I got asked a question. https://t.co/USDcThiBjv
— Drew (@DrewfromJersey) November 22, 2023
The Jets offense currently is making the wrong kind of history. New York is the first team since 2009 to have fewer than 10 offensive touchdowns through 10 games.
Although Rodgers is attempting to make a comeback by Christmas Eve, the Jets offense needs to figure out a way to score points in the meantime.
